The 1st full moon of 2026 rises tonight! Here’s what to expect from January’s supermoon Wolf Moon

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THE Full Moon January 2026 is upon us! Here’s what to expect when the “Wolf Moon” prowls the horizon tonight, kicking off a spectacular natural light show as the first full moon (and supermoon) of 2026.

A full moon occurs when the moon is opposite the sun In EarthThe sky of – an event that occurs only once during each of its recurring 27-day orbits – making the lunar disk appear fully illuminated from our perspective. The January full moon officially reaches peak illumination at 5:03 a.m. EST (10:03 GMT) on January 3, although the lunar disk will appear virtually full to the casual observer on surrounding nights. Local moonrise and moonset times will depend on your location.

January’s full moon is known as the Wolf Moon, referring to the hungry predators that howl during the long winter nights. It is also sometimes known by its Anglo-Saxon name, the “Moon After Yule”, according to TimeandDate and as “Severe Moon” by the indigenous Dakota people of North America to reflect the bitter cold of the month, according to the Old Farmers’ Almanac.

This month’s full moon phase coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth – a point in its orbit called perihelion — giving birth to a beautiful super moon which can appear 30% brighter and 14% larger than the most distant full moon of the year. January’s supermoon is the last in a series of four consecutive supermoons. After that, you will have to wait until November 24, 2026 to see another one!

When to see the “Wolf Moon” rise

Look toward the eastern horizon at dusk on January 2 to watch the “Wolf Moon” rise shortly before sunset local time. It will appear particularly large when it is close to the horizon thanks to a phenomenon called “moon illusion“, a visual effect that makes low moons appear oversized.

You may notice this effect even more at sunset the next day (January 3), when the satellite will soon rise into a darker sky. After the sun is setting. You may also notice the moon takes on an orange-yellow hue as it approaches the horizon, as the extended journey through Earth’s atmosphere diffuses the bluer wavelengths of reflected light, while allowing the redder wavelengths to pass relatively unimpeded.

On January 3, bright Jupiter will shine less than 4 degrees to the right of the lunar disk. For context, the width of your three middle fingers held at arm’s length represents 5 degrees in the night sky.

Why not grab your camera and try snapping a photo of the first full moon of the year using our handy tool. guide to imaging Earth’s natural satellite? You may also want to check out our summaries of best cameras And lenses for astrophotography to ensure you’re ready to capture everything the 2026 night sky has to offer.

Editor’s Note: If you would like to share your astrophotography with Space.com readers, please send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.