Mars hides behind the full wolf moon in beautiful images from around the world

On January 15, 2025By Littum

The Moon performed a cosmic ballet with Mars this week.

On Monday night (Jan. 13), the full wolf moon passed in front of Mars in what’s known as a lunar occultation, in which another celestial object appears to disappear behind the moon from our vantage point on Earth. Mars approaches opposition on Wednesday (January 15), the moment when it is directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth, meaning it is brightest in our night sky right now. In addition, Mars recently passed perigee on January 12, its closest point to Earth in its orbit around the Sun, making it slightly larger in the sky.

The result? A stunning lunar occultation of Mars was seen by much of North America and West Africa. Luckily, plenty of skywatchers, photographers and Space.com readers caught the spectacle on camera in the beautiful photos below.

Photographer Peter Jay captured the red planet lurking just above the northern part of the moon as seen from Charlotte, North Carolina.

a red dot next to a full moon

Mars near the full wolf moon on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Jay captured the lunar occultation of Mars at several different points during the event, which lasted just under an hour as the red planet passed behind the moon before reappearing on the other side.

a red dot next to a full moon

The Full Wolf Moon and Mars on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Lisa Shislowski of Plantation, Florida sent us the image of the occultation below.

“This evening was filled with so many exciting things happening with the first full moon of 2025/Wolf Moon and the lunar occultation of Mars 2025,” Shislowski told Space.com via email.

“The city view from Vista View Park in Davie, Broward County, Florida gave way to a clear image of the Wolf Moon rising through the clouds on the horizon. It was more vibrant and bright as it continued to rise. A little later in the evening it was the lunar occultation of Mars closer to taking place, and the little dot was the incredible planet Mars that had just looked right next to the Wolf Moon.”

a red dot next to the full moon

(Image credit: Lisa Shislowski)

Josh Dagenais photographed the moon and Mars from Hanover Park, Illinois.

“This was a shot from my driveway. I was really excited to start seeing Mars a few hours before it crossed paths tonight. The biggest challenge was staying warm as it was 13F (-10C). First time watching something like this, and a first for shooting it too,” Dagenais told Space.com via email. “Good luck with the viewing conditions, looking forward to the eclipse in March,”

a red dot next to a full moon

Mars during the full moon on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: Josh Dagenais)

Reader Michael Tyo captured the occultation of Mars en route from Marlboro, Massachusetts using an 800mm prime lens and Canon R7 body.

a red dot next to a full moon

The full moon and Mars as seen from Massachusetts on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: Michael Tyo)

David J. Kim watched Mars peek behind the moon from Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Kim shot the scene with a Fuji X-T5 and Fujinon XF 150-600mm lens, shot at f8/600mm and f11/840mm with 1.4x TC.

a red dot next to a full moon

The full moon shines next to Mars on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: David J. Kim)

Other photographers outside the viewing area of the lunar occultation of Mars captured the full moon shining alone in the night sky.

Robbie Pesiwarissa from Sydney, Australia saw the Full Wolf Moon appear massive in the sky above Sydney Airport thanks to the moon illusion.

“As twilight deepened, the Qantas Jet rose gracefully from Sydney Airport in Mascot, while the mesmerizing Wolf Moon rose above the iconic buildings of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The evening was warm and humid, a typical summer embrace that lent a certain magic to the air,” Pesiwarissa wrote via email.

“With only a few fleeting minutes at my disposal, I seized the opportunity to capture the moon in all its ethereal beauty as it lingered close to the horizon. Alas, the clouds soon gathered, casting their veil over the moon and obscuring it from view.”

a red dot next to a full moon

The full wolf moon over Sydney, Australia on January 13, 2025. (Image credit: Robbie Pesiwarissa/Robbiesydney Photography)

Photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba saw the full moon shining brightly over South Korean flags in Seoul.

a red dot next to a full moon

A full moon sets over South Korean national flags on a pedestrian bridge near the presidential residence before sunrise in Seoul on January 14, 2025. (Image credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)

Story NASA photographer Bill Ingalls saw the full wolf moon rise over the Lincoln Memorial and Memorial Bridge on Monday (January 13) from Arlington, Virginia near NASA headquarters in Washington.

a red dot next to a full moon

(Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

TOP TELESCOPE CHOICES:

Celestron NexStar 4SE telescope on white background — (Image credit: Celestron)

Want to see the moon feature up close? The Celestron NexStar 4SE is ideal for beginners who want quality, reliable and fast viewing of celestial bodies. For a more in-depth look at our Celestron NexStar 4SE review.

If you’re looking for binoculars or a telescope to observe Mars or the moon, our guides are for you best binoculars and that best telescopes can help you find what you need. Also, be sure to check out our guides for tips on how to do it photograph the planets before Mars reaches opposition this week.

Editor’s note: If you take a good picture of Mars and would like to share it with Space.com readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].