2026’s First Full Moon to Illuminate the Night Sky, Marking 4th Consecutive Supermoon Since Oct 2025

Advertisment

Skywatchers are waiting to begin 2026 with an unmatched experience of a supermoon. The full Wolf Supermoon of 3 January 2026 is going to put in one of the brightest appearances of Earth’s natural satellite.

Wolf Moon Supermoon 2026

A full supermoon takes place when the full phase of the Moon coincides with perigee, which is the closest point in the Moon's orbit to Earth. The Wolf Moon supermoon will light up the sky from the night of January 2 till the early hours of January 3. According to National Geographic, this will be the last supermoon of its kind until November 2026. 

“The perigee of January 3 will bring the full Moon to a distance of 362,312 kilometers (225,130 miles) from Earth, giving it an apparent size and brightness boost of about 14 and 30 percent, respectively,” reported Science Alert.

Advertisment

Wolf Moon Supermoon India Timings

The most striking view is expected during moonrise between about 5:45 pm and 6:00 pm IST, when the moon appears larger and brighter near the eastern horizon. 

Observers are recommended to view the moon during the time of moonrise or moonset for a clear view. At these times, the moon is also bigger near the horizon. This phenomenon is also known as the moon illusion. Human eyes perceive objects at a distance differently.

What is Special About this Wolf Moon Supermoon?

When the moon reaches its full moon stage and rises in the sky, its colour becomes bright white. However, as the moon rises near the horizon, the colour changes to a warm, bright orange. This is a result of the scattering of light.

Advertisment

Another special attraction of this January supermoon is the appearance of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter will appear close to the moon and can be spotted with the naked eye. The well-known Orion constellation will also shine in the winter sky. Saturn will be visible in the southwest direction around the time of moonrise.

This period also coincides with the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower. It takes place between January 2 and January 3. This meteor shower is famous for bright meteors, often called fireballs.

Best Camera Phones to Capture the Wolf Moon Supermoon

Following are the best smartphones to capture the Wolf Moon event:

  • Vivo X300 Pro Teleconverter Kit
  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra with Teleconverter Kit
  • Oppo Find X9 Pro with Teleconverter Kit
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
     
Advertisment

These devices provide high-resolution sensors, optical and hybrid zoom, and enhanced night and HDR processing. 

Supermoon Photography Tips

  • Head to an open space from where you can see the sky clearly.
  • Switch to Pro mode/Night mode and reduce the ISO to prevent it from being overexposed.
  • Use a tripod to prevent camera shake.
  • Do not zoom in too much; use optical zoom for more detailed photos.
  • Tap to focus on the moon and back off the exposure slightly.
  • Shoot a few photos at different exposure settings to get the optimal result. 

Final Thoughts

Astronomers and skywatchers are preparing for this rare celestial event on January 3. Cold air has less humidity than warm air, which makes the sky more transparent. This offers a unique opportunity to observe the moon at its closest approach to Earth, even without special equipment.

Advertisment