Wolf Moon and Mars Occultation Kick Off Chinese Lunar New Year 2025

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The first full moon of 2025, known as the Wolf Moon, will rise on Monday, Jan. 13, marking the start of a celestial spectacle that includes a rare Mars occultation and the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

The Wolf Moon, named for the howling of wolves heard during winter nights, will appear orange as it emerges above the eastern horizon at dusk. Later that evening, Mars will disappear behind the moon in an event called an occultation. Visible across North America, the red planet will vanish between 8:44 p.m. EST and 12:52 a.m. EST, reappearing shortly after. This rare alignment coincides with Mars being at opposition, making it appear larger and brighter than usual.

“This is a once-every-26-month event,” said Jamie Carter, an award-winning reporter specializing in astronomy. “Mars is at its closest point to Earth, offering sky-watchers a spectacular view.”

The celestial events precede the Chinese Lunar New Year, which begins on Wednesday, Jan. 29, with the new moon. Known as the Spring Festival, this 15-day celebration is based on the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, which aligns lunar phases with the solar year. The festival will usher in the Year of the Wood Snake, a symbol of wisdom, intuition, and transformation. The wood element, associated with growth and renewal, last appeared in 1965.

Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated by billions worldwide, with festivities culminating in the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12, 2025, coinciding with the rise of February’s full moon, the Snow Moon. The festival is marked by family reunions, feasts, and cultural traditions.

In addition to the Wolf Moon and Mars occultation, sky-watchers can look forward to a dazzling conjunction of Venus and Saturn on Saturday, Jan. 18. These celestial events provide a unique opportunity to observe the interplay of planetary and lunar movements.

“The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle of animals combined with one of five elements, creating a 60-year cycle,” Carter explained. “This year’s Wood Snake is particularly significant, symbolizing a time of renewal and transformation.”

As the Wolf Moon rises and Mars disappears behind it, astronomers and cultural enthusiasts alike are encouraged to look to the skies for a rare alignment of celestial and cultural significance.