Wolf Moon 2022: Exactly what time to see it peak in crystal clear blue sky tonight

Those who take a step outside and look up tonight will be in for a treat.

It may be Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, but forecasters suggested tonight should be renamed Blue Sky Monday.

Today a blanket of fog lifted to reveal beautiful winter sunshine across most of the UK for the whole day.

The sun will set at the usual time of between 4.30pm and 5pm – but Brits have a very bright evening in store.

And that means Brits should have a crystal clear view of the full Wolf Moon, which peaks tonight.

Here is everything you need to know about the Wolf Moon 2022.

What is the Wolf Moon?

Despite its name, the Moon you'll see tonight doesn't exactly have much to do with wolves.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, January's full moon was named so because villagers used to hear packs of wolves howling in hunger around this time of year. It is also known as the Old Moon.

According to the publication, the first full moon of the year gets its name from a number of places, including "Native American, Colonial American and European sources".

In the Old Farmer's Almanac, it says: "It was traditionally believed that wolves howled due to hunger during winter, but we know today that wolves howl for different reasons.

"Howling and other wolf vocalizations are generally used to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and coordinate hunting."

What time does the Wolf Moon peak?

The full moon will peak at 11.48pm tonight, which is the exact time you should aim to see it.

Cold, clear and sunny conditions are expected until tomorrow. That means this is your best chance at glimpsing the moon in all its glory.

The rest of the week will see widespread frost and fog, particularly at night.

How often does a full moon occur?

The full moon occurs every 29.5 days when it is completely illuminated by the Sun's rays.

This happens when the Earth is directly aligned between the Sun and the Moon.

Most years there are 12 full moons, however some years have 13. This means some months see two full moons. This is what is known as a Blue Moon.

When is the next full moon in 2022?

The next full moon in 2022 is the February Snow Moon.

This will take place on Wednesday, February 16. According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, it will peak at 4.56pm.

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