Ready to see a wolf moon? Here’s when to catch a glimpse of it over central Pennsylvania

The first full moon of 2024 will rise Thursday, and it’s known as the Wolf Moon, as well as the Ice Moon, the Moon after Yule, the Old Moon and more.

January’s full moon is called the “wolf” moon because wolves are typically active in mid-winter. Moon names often come from Indigenous and European tradition. The Farmers’ Almanac says the wolf moon’s name is thought to have English origins.

Here’s when you can catch a glimpse of the wolf moon, as well as supermoons and other full moons in Central Pennsylvania this year.

When can you see the wolf moon in State College?

The 2024 wolf moon will become full at 12:54 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Jan. 25, according to NASA, and will appear full for about three days.

Although the wolf moon will be full just after noon Thursday, Forbes recommends looking a few minutes after sunset to get a better view without sun obstruction.

The sun will set at 5:19 p.m. in State College Thursday, according to online global clock Time and Date, and the evening is expected to be rainy and foggy with a low temperature around 42 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service forecasts.

The Central Pennsylvania Observers will hold a meeting that’s open to the public from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 about how to safely observe the April 8 total solar eclipse. The local organization will also hold a free stargazing event from 8 to 10 p.m. April 5 at Bernel Road Park.

More full moons in 2024

If you miss Thursday’s wolf moon, you will have 11 more chances to catch a full moon this year, including a few full supermoons.

Here’s this year’s full moon calendar, with information from Space.com:

1. Jan. 25: Wolf moon

2. Feb. 24: Snow moon

3. March 25: Worm moon

4. April 23: Pink moon

5. May 23: Flower moon

6. June 21: Strawberry moon

7. July 21: Buck moon

8. Aug. 19: Sturgeon moon (supermoon and blue moon)

9. Sept. 17: Harvest moon (supermoon and partial lunar eclipse)

10. Oct. 17: Hunter’s moon (supermoon)

11. Nov. 15: Beaver moon (supermoon)

12. Dec. 15: Cold moon

Full moons have multiple names, and many come from Indigenous cultures. The Farmers’ Almanac uses Indigenous moon names, along with monikers from colonial America and other North American sources.

Meredith Howard

Belleville News-Democrat

Meredith Howard is a service journalist with the Belleville News-Democrat. She is a Baylor University graduate and has previously freelanced with the Illinois Times and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription