Here’s how to see Monday’s rare event of a full moon blocking Mars in Colorado

On By Littum

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Those looking skyward Monday night will see a celestial treat with Mars situated next to the first full moon of the season — the Wolf Moon — and a rare lunar occultation.

Here’s what you need to know to enjoy the show:

Why is the January full moon called the wolf moon?

It comes from the idea that wolves are active in January and often howl on cold nights, according to EarthSky.

When is the Wolf Moon and Mars Show?

The full moon will rise in the east at 16.39 13 January and set at 8:16 a.m. Jan. 14 at Fort Collins.

Around midnight, the full moon will be almost overhead before setting low in the west.

Mars is the closest and brightest it will be in 2025. That will help offset the bright moonlight that will shine right next to the Red Planet.

To help find Mars, block the right half of the full moon with a distant object, such as a support rod, EarthSky said. Or you can see Mars next to the moon a few nights later when the full moon fades.

On Monday night, the full moon will pass in front of Mars, creating a lunar occultation that obscures the planet. It will take place around 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in Colorado, according to Astronomical League.

A bonus to the show is that the stars Castor and Pollux, Mars and the moon will form an almost straight line in the night sky. Again, the brightness of the moon can make it difficult to see these two stars.

You will be able to see the event with the naked eye, but binoculars can help.

Will the Fort Collins forecast allow for Monday night’s show?

The National Weather Service is calling for partly cloudy skies Monday night and a low around 12 degrees.

Clear skies are expected on Wednesday and Thursday evening. The moon will also appear full during these nights.