The first full moon of 2026 will rise this weekend, looking bigger and brighter than normal full moons. Named as “Wolf Moon”, it will pair visually with the planet Jupiter.
The Wolf Moon reaches its full phase early on Saturday, January 3 at 5:02 AM EST. But stargazers can catch the most dramatic views later in the night.
What is the best time to see the Wolf Moon?
The best time to watch is when the moon rises in the eastern cloud just after sunset. At that time, observers will see the glowing full moon flanked by Pollux (a bright star in the constellation Gemini) on one side and Jupiter (the largest planet in the solar system) shining brightly.
Why is January’s full moon called the ‘Wolf Moon’?
The full moon gets its name “Wolf Moon” from long-standing traditions in North America, where January was associated with the howling of wolves during the harsh midwinter months. Other historical names include Cold Moon, Hard Moon and Moon After Yule in parts of Europe.
January’s full moon is also a supermoon, meaning it occurs near perigee. Perigee is the point in the moon’s orbit when it is closest to Earth.
As a result, it will appear slightly larger and up to 30% brighter than a typical full moon. This is the fourth supermoon in a row, but the first in 2026. The last supermoon was seen in November.
In addition, the Wolf Moon closely coincides with Earth’s perihelion, the closest annual approach to the Sun, which occurs only a few days later.
How to see January’s full moon?
From the Northern Hemisphere, it will also trace the highest arc across the night sky of any full moon this year, remaining visible longer than usual. There is no need for a telescope to see the full moon. To see it with the best experience, find an open, east-facing location at moonrise and watch as the Wolf Supermoon climbs into twilight, ushering in 2026 with a striking cosmic display.
