Wolf Moon and Mars Disappearance: Celestial Events Light Up January Skies

DRESDEN, Germany — Skywatchers across the globe were treated to a celestial spectacle Monday evening as the first full moon of 2025, known as the wolf moon, reached peak illumination at 5:27 p.m. ET. The event was accompanied by a rare astronomical phenomenon: Mars appeared to vanish behind the moon in a cosmic disappearing act visible to viewers in parts of the U.S., Canada, Africa, and Mexico.

According to NASA, the wolf moon formed a celestial triangle with Mars and the bright star Pollux during evening twilight. Mars disappeared behind the moon’s lower edge around 9:16 p.m. ET for East Coast viewers, reappearing at 10:31 p.m. ET. The event marked a highlight of January’s night sky, which also features Mars at opposition, making it appear brighter and closer to Earth.

The wolf moon derives its name from the Sioux language, referencing the increased activity of wolves during winter nights. Other cultures have their own names for January’s full moon, including the Cherokee’s “cold moon,” the Lakota’s “hard moon,” and the Passamaquoddy’s “whirling wind moon.” European traditions refer to it as the ice moon or the moon after Yule, a pre-Christian winter solstice festival.

This year’s wolf moon also coincides with the start of the Hindu pilgrimage festival Prayag Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, India. The full moon will remain visible worldwide through Wednesday morning, weather permitting.

Mars isn’t the only planet making waves this month. Sky-gazers can spot Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars simultaneously in the night sky, with Venus and Saturn appearing closest during their conjunction on Friday and Saturday. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible, though binoculars or telescopes are recommended for viewing.

While the alignment of multiple planets is not uncommon, the sight of four bright planets in the night sky is a rare treat. “Planets in our solar system, when they are visible, are always in a line because they follow the path of the sun — the ecliptic — across our sky,” explained EarthSky. “But they aren’t in a line stretching out, one behind another, from the sun, into 3-dimensional space.”

Looking ahead, 2025 will feature two partial solar eclipses and two total lunar eclipses. The first partial solar eclipse on March 29 will be visible across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, while the second on September 21 will be seen over Australia, Antarctica, and parts of the Pacific. The lunar eclipses, often called “blood moons” due to their reddish hue, will occur on March 13-14 and September 7-8.

For those eager to catch more celestial events, meteor showers like the Lyrids in April and the Geminids in December will light up the night sky throughout the year. Check Time and Date’s website for specific viewing times and locations.