Mars meets the Wolf Moon. Observers around the world see the full ...

If were out observing the full Moon last night, 13 January, you'll have seen the planet Mars visible in the sky right next to it.

On 13 January 2025, the Wolf Moon was rising higher and higher in the night sky, accompanied by the Red Planet.

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Just below and to the left of the Moon you'll have seen a red 'star', which was the planet Mars.

And if you were based in the USA, may have seen the Wolf Moon lunar occultation of Mars.

Mars and the Moon got closer and closer throughout the night, climbing higher in the sky together and heading towards the southeast as midnight approached.

Wolf Moon explained

The Wolf Moon is the name given to the full Moon in January, the first full Moon of the year.

Each month's full Moon has obtained an informal nickname over the years, and these names reflect what's happening in nature during the month in question.

The Wolf Moon, the story goes, is so-called because wolves don't hibernate in winter, and are very much active during January.

Perhaps the sound of wolves howling on the night of a full Moon, while many other animals were still slumbering, is what led to the nickname being adopted.

But the name Wolf Moon doesn't indicate the January full Moon will look or act any differently than any other full Moon you'll see.

Find out more by reading our guide detailing when the next full Moon is visible.

Mars in January 2025

It's a good month to observe Mars, not least because the winter skies are nice and dark, and the evenings are still long.

But January 2025 is also a great time to observe Mars because the Red Planet is approaching opposition on 16 January.

Opposition in astronomy means the planet is opposite the Sun in the sky, and that Mars will appear big and bright: at its best for viewing.

From 12–16 January will be a great time to observe Mars through a telescope and get a look at its features.

But the Red Planet's brilliance won't suddenly deteriorate once opposition is over: stay with it for the rest of the month and make the most of its favourable position in the sky.

Mars and the Wolf Moon

Naked-eye stargazers enjoyed brilliant Mars meet the January 2025 full Moon – the Wolf Moon – in the sky.

Observing from around 19:30 UTC on 13 January saw the full Moon in the eastern sky, Mars below and to the left of it.

By 22:30 UTC, Mars and the Moon were closer together, having tracked higher across the sky, appearing in the southeast.

By midnight on 13 January, Mars was to the left of the Moon, the two now in the south.

And if you were observing from the US, you may have seen Mars disappearing behind the Moon, in an event known as a lunar occultation of Mars.

Of course, this is all a trick of perspective. Mars isn't really anywhere near the Moon: it just appears this way in the night sky, as we see it from Earth.

The Mars show goes on...

Observe Mars and the Moon later on 14 January as they rise above the eastern horizon in the early evening, and you'll notice Mars is now above and to the right of the Moon, the two bodies getting farther apart as the evening draws on.

The celestial tango is now over, but the good news is that Mars becomes ever more distant from the waning Moon as the month goes on, giving you a better chance to observe the Red Planet in isolation.

For more info, read our guide on how to observe Mars.

If you observed Mars and the Wolf Moon or captured an image of it, share your experiences and images with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com.