This is when you will be able to see the ‘Full Wolf Moon’ in January - and when the Quadrantids Meteor Shower will be visible

There will be several astronomical events next month, including a Full Wolf Moon and the Quadrantids Meteor Shower.

Stargazers say that most of the events will be visible with the naked eye, making them perfect for families who don’t have expensive equipment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So here is a rundown of what you can expect to see when you look up.

Quadrantids Meteor Shower

The meteor shower will be the first major astronomical event of the year, peaking on the evening of Friday, January 3, 2020.

The high volume of meteors in the shower means that, as long as there is no heavy cloud cover, you should be able to see one without too much trouble.

For the best chance, head to the countryside, or somewhere with very little light pollution, and time your stargazing for around midnight.

Full Wolf Moon

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A week after the Quadrantids Meteor Shower, on Friday, January 10, you will be able to see a Full Wolf Moon.

The name comes from Native American tribes, but the event is also known as the Moon after Yule, and the Old Moon.

This particular full moon is noteworthy because its face is fully illuminated, making it brighter than usual.

This is because the moon will be on the opposite side of the Earth to the sun.

New Moon

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On yet another Friday, this time on January 24, there will be a new moon.

This happens when the moon is on the same side of the Earth as the sun, meaning that its face is not illuminated and it cannot be seen.

From around 9:45pm, other faint objects in the sky will be more clearly visible with the naked eye because the glow of the moon no longer obscures them.

Related topics: