Full moons have their fair share of lore. But you might also just think of a full moon as, well, a full moon. And while that is true, for the most part, there are special names attributed to different full moons.

The first full moon of the year comes into view next week. The wolf moon, named for the howling of hungry wolves during cold winter nights, will be at peak just after sunset Monday, Jan. 13. Full moon names are often tied to nature or farming and have roots in Native American, Colonial or European traditions.

Prepare to howl with delight at the first full moon of January 2025, the wolf moon, one of several wonders in the night sky this month.

The moon performed a cosmic ballet with Mars this week. On Monday evening (Jan. 13), the Full Wolf Moon passed in front of Mars in what's known as a lunar occultation, during which another celestial object appears to disappear behind the moon from our vantage point on Earth.