Learn when to catch the first full moon of 2025 and the Quadrantid meteor shower for a spectacular start to the new year
Anderson: Kicking off 2025, we’ve got the first full moon and a meteor shower to look forward to. It’s a great way to start the year!
The first full moon, known as the wolf moon, will shine bright on January 13 at 5:26 p.m. If you’re into moon phases, there’s a first quarter moon on January 6 and a new moon on January 29.
So, what’s a wolf moon? It’s named after the wolves that are often heard howling in winter. Some folks also call it the “stay home moon” or “moon after Yule.”
There’s a lot of folklore around full moons. For instance, a bright moon is said to promise good rain and harvests, while a red moon might mean a dry year ahead. Pretty interesting, right?
Now, let’s talk about the Quadrantid meteor shower. It kicks off the new year and is one of the few showers with a short peak. You’ll want to catch it on the night of January 2 into January 3.
The good news is that the crescent moon won’t get in the way of the meteor shower. The best viewing will be after midnight when the radiant point rises in the northeast.
Fun fact: the parent comet for the Quadrantids was a mystery for a long time until they found an asteroid named 2003 EH1. It’s believed to be a dormant comet that takes about five and a half years to orbit the sun.
Recently, astronomers discovered another object related to the Quadrantids, Comet 96P/Machholz. It’s been around for centuries and orbits the sun every 5.3 years.
So, mark your calendars! The first full moon and the Quadrantid meteor shower are perfect reasons to step outside and enjoy the night sky.
