The January full Moon is called the Wolf Moon—will be a Supermoon

The January full Moon is called the Wolf Moon and will be a Supermoon

The January full Moon, called the Wolf Moon, will be a Supermoon. A Supermoon is when the Moon is at its closest to Earth and will appear slightly larger and brighter around Moonrise just after sunset. 

The Super Wolf Moon will reach peak illumination on January 3 at 5:03 A.M. EST. 

The January full Moon is called the Wolf Moon because of the howling of wolves that was often heard during this time of year

The January full Moon is called the Wolf Moon because of the howling of wolves that was often heard during this time of year. It’s thought that wolves howl more during the winter due to hunger, to communicate with their pack, or possibly because this is their breeding season. 

Other Names for the January Full Moon

Other names for the January full Moon are the “Moon after Yule” (Pagan), the “Severe Moon” (Dakota Tribe), and “Old Moon” (Anglo-Saxon). 

Traditional names for each full moon in a year often come from various sources, including Native American, Colonial American, and other North American folklore. These names were used to track the seasons and usually reflect the nature or activities common during that time in the Northern Hemisphere.