Full Moon. Credit: NASA
The first Full Moon of 2020 will occur on Friday, January 10, 2020, beginning with a moonrise over the Atlantic at 5:46 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (with a few minutes of variation depending on your exact location).
The Full Moon will technically be 100% full at 2:21 p.m. EST when a penumbral lunar eclipse occurs on the other side of the planet that can be viewed from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Because the United States is on the daylight side of the Earth when the penumbral lunar eclipse happens, U.S. viewers will not be able to see the eclipse.
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through Earth’s lighter outer shadow.
Unlike a Total Lunar Eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse will not turn into a reddish blood moon. Instead, the moon turns a slightly darker grey.
A Full Moon in January has seasonal names such as a “Wolf’s Moon” from native American tribes, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
Other January full moon names include “Old Moon” and “Moon after Yule” because it is the first full moon after Christmas.
For those planning a morning walk or run along the beach on the U.S. East Coast, this Full Moon brings along with it a 4 ft. + Atlantic Ocean high tide that will occur on the mornings of January 10 and 11.
Image Credit: NASA