A Look at the January 2023 Moon Phases
January 2023 is an exciting month for lunar enthusiasts. With three consecutive full moons, stargazers will have plenty of opportunity to observe the night sky. On January 6, January 13, and January 20, the moon will be illuminated to its fullest. Each of these full moons will have their own unique characteristics, offering a great opportunity for skywatchers to observe the different phases of the moon.
Full Moon on January 6
The first full moon of January 2023 will take place on January 6. This particular full moon is often referred to as the "Wolf Moon." This name comes from the Native American tradition of naming the full moons as a way to track the seasons. For this full moon, it was named after the wolves that would howl outside villages during the cold winter months.
The January 6 full moon will also be the first full moon of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It will be visible in the night sky on January 6, rising in the east just after sunset and setting in the west around sunrise. The peak illumination of this moon will occur at 12:16 GMT (7:16am EST).
Full Moon on January 13
The second full moon of January 2023 will take place on January 13. This particular full moon is often referred to as the "Snow Moon." In some cultures, this full moon is also known as the "Hunger Moon" due to the cold and difficult winter months that can make food scarce.
The January 13 full moon will be visible in the night sky on January 13, rising in the east around sunset and setting in the west around sunrise. The peak illumination of this moon will occur at 2:03 GMT (9:03pm EST).
Full Moon on January 20
The third and final full moon of January 2023 will take place on January 20. This particular full moon is often referred to as the "Cold Moon." This name comes from the cold winter temperatures that occur during this time of year.
The January 20 full moon will be visible in the night sky on January 20, rising in the east around sunset and setting in the west around sunrise. The peak illumination of this moon will occur at 3:16 GMT (10:16pm EST).
The Supermoon of January 2023
In addition to the three full moons of January 2023, there will also be a supermoon on January 28. A supermoon is a full moon that occurs at the same time as the moon's closest approach to the Earth, resulting in a larger and brighter moon in the night sky.
The January 28 supermoon will be visible in the night sky on January 28, rising in the east around sunset and setting in the west around sunrise. The peak illumination of this moon will occur at 5:19 GMT (12:19am EST).
Conclusion
January 2023 will be an exciting month for lunar enthusiasts. With three consecutive full moons and a supermoon, stargazers will have plenty of opportunity to observe the night sky. Each of these full moons will have their own unique characteristics, offering a great opportunity for skywatchers to observe the different phases of the moon.