Observatory opens its doors to give visitors chance to see 'Wolf Moon'

IT HAS been a phenomenon that has fascinated astronomers throughout the centuries, as well as inspiring myth and legend.

And visitors to the York Observatory are being given the chance to witness a so-called Wolf Moon next week with the help of a 19th century telescope.

The observatory, in the city's Museum Gardens, will open its doors on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week to give the public a view of the new moon. The second full moon of the year traditionally marked the beginning of the end of winter and it was said that on seeing the moon, the wolves that survived the winter months would howl to mark the coming of spring and the return of a food supply.

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Next week's event is free and will be held between 6.30pm and 8pm each evening.

Astronomer Martin Lunn, who will be leading the event, said: "It is a great time of year to get a really good look at a full moon while it is relatively early.

"If you have never seen the moon through a powerful telescope before, it really is spectacular and I will be on hand to point out the fascinating landmarks on its surface."

There is also the opportunity to glimpse Mars at the moment, and the best chance to see with the naked eye is to look south as soon as it gets dark for an orange coloured spot.

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