The new year is bringing an extraordinary lunar event: The first full moon of 2026, known as the wolf moon, will also be the year's inaugural supermoon — appearing noticeably larger and brighter than usual, because the moon will reach its closest point to Earth.

A supermoon is when a full moon hits its perigee — the point in the moon's elliptical orbit when it is nearest to Earth. When this occurs, the moon can appear up to 14% larger and shine 30% brighter than a typical full moon, according to NASA, creating a spectacular sight for observers.

The phenomenon is theatrical because the moon's orbit isn't perfectly circular — it's elliptical, which means the distance between Earth and the moon will vary over the course of the month. But it is when these orbital mechanics align just right that we get the stunning display of a supermoon.

The folklore behind the wolf moon

The name "wolf moon" comes from Native American and European traditions, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. It reflects a time of year when wolves were frequently heard howling outside villages during the depths of winter.

While folklore says wolves howl out of hunger during the colder months, modern scientists have learned that wolves are vocal to mark territory and communicate with pack members. Regardless, the sound of wolves howling has become so closely associated with January's full moon that the name “wolf moon” has endured across cultures.

When and where to catch the show

The wolf supermoon will reach peak on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 5:03 a.m. ET. But stargazers shouldn't limit themselves to that exact moment.

For the most breathtaking and memorable views, observers should look toward the eastern horizon at sunset on Friday, Jan. 2, or Sunday, Jan. 4. Watching the moon rise or set can trigger what's known as the "moon illusion" — a perceptual phenomenon in which the moon appears dramatically larger when positioned near familiar objects like trees, buildings or the horizon line.

At this time, the moon will be positioned in the constellation Gemini and will appear close to Jupiter, which will be at its brightest point for the year, according to In-the-sky.org. This celestial pairing adds an extra layer of visual interest for those scanning the night sky.

Viewing tips:

• Find an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon for moonrise

• Look west for moonset viewing opportunities

• The moon illusion works best when the moon is near the horizon

• No special equipment is needed — the supermoon is easily visible to the naked eye

• Binoculars or a telescope can reveal stunning surface details

More supermoons ahead

The January wolf moon is just the first of three supermoons in 2026. While a number of months will pass before the next major lunar display, the year will conclude with a pair of consecutive events:

Beaver supermoon: Nov. 24, 2026
Cold supermoon: Dec. 24, 2026

The December event is particularly noteworthy — it's expected to be the closest and brightest full moon of 2026, reaching its nearest point to Earth since 2019. That Christmas Eve supermoon will provide a brilliant finale to the year's lunar calendar.

For sky watchers, 2026 offers a perfect bookend: beginning with the wolf supermoon's winter brilliance and ending with the cold supermoon's holiday spectacle.