The first supermoon of 2026 will appear on the night of January 3, when the moon is 362,641 km from Earth. It will look 30% brighter and 14% larger than the year's most distant full moon. In India, it will be visible shortly after sunset.
The first supermoon of 2026 peaks on January 3. According to space.com, it will reach its height globally at 5:30 am EST (4 pm IST). In India, skywatchers can catch it after sunset around 5:45 pm to 6 pm IST, when the moon takes on an orange-yellow hue near the horizon.
A supermoon happens when a full moon aligns with the moon's closest point to Earth, called perigee. At this time, the moon is opposite the sun, fully illuminated and appearing larger and brighter than usual. NASA's website notes it will be in its full phase, enhanced by the 'moon illusion' that makes low-hanging moons seem oversized.
January's full moon is known as the Wolf Moon in Northern Hemisphere folklore, referencing wolves howling during long winter nights. It is also called the Moon after Yule.
Visibility varies worldwide: 5:30 am EST in New York, 10:03 am GMT in London, 7:30 pm in Tokyo, and 9:03 pm local time in Sydney. No special equipment is needed, though binoculars or a telescope can reveal more details.
