Those looking skyward Monday night will see a celestial treat with Mars nestled next to the first full moon of the season — the wolf moon — and a rare lunar occulation.

Here is what you need to know to enjoy the show:

Why is the January full moon called the wolf moon?

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

When will the wolf moon and Mars show take place?

The full moon will rise in the east at 4:39 p.m. Jan. 13 and set at 8:16 a.m. Jan. 14 in Fort Collins.

Around midnight, the full moon will nearly be overhead before dropping 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 utility pole, EarthSky said. Or you can view Mars next to the moon a couple of nights later when the full moon fades.

Monday night, the full moon will pass in front of Mars, creating a lunar occulation, obscuring the planet. That will take place roughly from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday in Colorado, according to the Astronomical League.

A bonus to the show is that stars Castor and Pollux, Mars and the moon will form a nearly straight line in the night sky. Again, the moon’s brightness might make seeing these two stars difficult.

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

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

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

Wednesday and Thursday nights are forecast to have clear skies. The moon will appear full during these nights as well.