Skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere are in for a treat tonight, as the first full Moon of 2026, set for 3 January and famously called the Wolf Moon, rises in all its glory.
Astronomers are calling it a supermoon the fourth in a rare consecutive series following last year’s Harvest, Beaver, and Cold Moons.
A supermoon happens when the Moon comes closest to Earth in its elliptical orbit, making it appear brighter and slightly larger than usual.
At its nearest point, or perigee, the Moon is roughly 220,000 miles from Earth, compared to 250,000 miles at its farthest, or apogee. While supermoons appear a few times a year, having several in a row is a rare spectacle for the skies.
The Wolf Moon, named after the ancient tradition that wolves howl more during this time of year, will officially reach its peak at 5:02 a.m. EST, but the best view will be tonight at dusk as it rises in the eastern sky near the bright star Pollux in the Gemini constellation.
Adding to the show, Jupiter, the “king of planets,” will shine just to its right, creating a stunning celestial tableau.
Beyond its astronomical charm, the Wolf Moon has cultural significance. Native American communities call it the Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, or Freeze-Up Moon, while in Europe, it’s known as the Moon After Yule, marking the time just after winter solstice celebrations.
If the skies are clear, observers are encouraged to step outside tonight to witness this luminous spectacle. Though the supermoon won’t appear dramatically larger, its brilliant glow promises a magical start to the new year a perfect winter night to look up and marvel at the cosmos.
The lunar magic continues into February with the Snow Moon on February 1, keeping 2026’s unusual count of 13 full Moons instead of the usual 12 alive and shining.
