The Full Moon occurs when Earth is perfectly aligned between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the entire face of the Moon that faces us to be illuminated by sunlight.
As the Moon orbits Earth, the angle at which sunlight strikes its surface changes, creating the various lunar phases.
The first Full Moon of 2025 will be the Wolf Moon, peaking at 5:27 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025.
This article will be regularly updated with the latest moonrise, moonset, and Full Moon schedules, along with information about celestial events visible each week. Here’s the full list of Full Moons for the year and their traditional names.
Full Moon Schedule
Monday, Jan 13 — 5:27 p.m. — Wolf Moon
Wednesday, Feb 12 — 8:53 a.m. — Snow Moon
Friday, March 14 — 2:55 a.m. — Worm Moon
Saturday, April 12 — 8:22 p.m. — Pink Moon
Monday, May 12 — 12:56 p.m. — Flower Moon
Wednesday, June 11 — 3:44 a.m. — Strawberry Moon
Thursday, July 10 — 4:37 p.m. — Buck Moon
Saturday, Aug 9 — 3:55 a.m. — Sturgeon Moon
Sunday, Sept 7 — 2:09 p.m. — Corn Moon
Monday, Oct 6 — 11:48 p.m. — Hunter’s Moon
Wednesday, Nov 5 — 8:19 a.m. — Otter Moon
Thursday, Dec 4 — 6:14 p.m. — Cold Moon
Moon Phases for January 2025: The following images show the day-by-day phases of the Moon in January. The Full Moon this month will occur on Monday, January 13.
Note: Phases vary in size due to the Moon’s distance from Earth and are shown at 0h Universal Time.
The Phases of the Moon
The Moon goes through eight primary phases: New Moon, waxing crescent, First Quarter, waxing gibbous, Full Moon, waning gibbous, Last Quarter, and waning crescent. The entire cycle, from one Full Moon to the next, is called a synodic month or lunar month, lasting approximately 29.5 days. Although a Full Moon happens only when Earth, the Moon, and the Sun align perfectly, to our eyes, the Moon appears Full for about three days.
Names of the Full Moon
Full Moons are often given unique names, which have cultural, agricultural, and seasonal origins. These names help people track time and anticipate seasonal changes, with many of them coming from Native American traditions. Here's a list of the most recognized Full Moon names:
Wolf Moon (January): Named after the howls of hungry wolves during the cold winter months.
Snow Moon (February): A reference to the heavy snowfall typically seen during this month.
Worm Moon (March): Reflects the earthworms emerging as the ground thaws in spring.
Pink Moon (April): Celebrates the vibrant blooming of pink wildflowers.
Flower Moon (May): Honors the blooming of flowers in late spring.
Strawberry Moon (June): Marks the start of strawberry harvesting season.
Buck Moon (July): Recognizes the time when male deer (bucks) grow new antlers.
Sturgeon Moon (August): Named for the large sturgeon fish found in lakes and rivers during summer.
Corn Moon (September): Signifies the corn harvest, typically around this time of year.
Hunter’s Moon (October): Named for the hunting season before winter sets in.
Otter Moon (November): Refers to the busy period when beavers build their winter dams.
Cold Moon (December): Evokes the chill and longer nights of winter.
Other Notable Full Moon Names
There are a few other Full Moon terms that often make headlines:
Super Moon: This term is given to a Full Moon that occurs when the Moon is at perigee, it's closest point to Earth in its orbit. A Super Moon appears larger and brighter than usual. To qualify as a Super Moon, the Moon must be within about 90 percent of it's closest distance to Earth.
Blue Moon: A Blue Moon is the second Full Moon within a single calendar month. This rare event occurs approximately every 2.7 years. Despite the name, the Blue Moon doesn't actually appear blue, though occasional atmospheric conditions like volcanic eruptions can give the Moon a slight bluish tint.
Harvest Moon: This is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox (usually in September). The Harvest Moon often appears with a distinct orange hue and rises just after sunset, offering longer periods of moonlight, which historically aided farmers in harvesting crops.
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Video by SciShow
