Tonight we will see an increase in wolf moon, the first full moon of 2021. Strangely, peak lighting starting at 2:16 pm, when the moon is not in general to be seen. But don’t let the sun ruin the first big day of the moon this year; you get a good view around sunset.
For those in the northern U.S., the moon sits relatively high in the skies during the winter months, and the moon usually is visible just before the sun sets in the northern hemisphere. You are more likely to see the moon closer to its brightest state during “civil twilight, ”Happening just after sunset under the horizon – between 5:09 pm and 5:38 pm EST tonight (subject to cloud cover). according to Earth Sky, you will want to look out on the northeast horizon in a low placelight position to get the best view.
Tonight, the full moon is with us Mars and Venus. Where a full moonlight would normally drown out the planetary glow, this one will be far beyond its highest brightness before it is dark outside, leaving them still visible in the starry skies.
So why do we call a January full moon like the wolf moon? The theory that is, he was so named by native tribes and Colonial settlers because wolves were known to cry more frequently at this time of year, probably because they hunted more frequently for scarce prey during the harsh winter months (or with wolf parties to stay warm.)
Although there are few sources to substantiate this theory, the name has survived – although in reality, Native Americans have many throughout the country. different names for the first full moon of the year, and there is little mention of wolves. The seasons are often accompanied by lunar names – Autumn Moon in October (Cherokee); Moon of Flowers in April (Comanche). Almanac of the old farmer notes that the Assiniboine tribes are calling January full center Moon, as it marks the middle of the season. If so meaning we are much closer to spring, I will take it.
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