2026's First Supermoon Will Illuminate the Sky on January 3rd

The new year will begin with a striking celestial event. On January 3rd, 2026, the first of three Supermoons will light up the night sky. This rare phenomenon coincides with the Full Moon, known traditionally as the 'Wolf Moon'.

A Supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches its closest point to Earth in its orbit, called perigee. During this event, it appears slightly larger and brighter than usual. On January 3rd, the Moon will be roughly 362,000 kilometres away from our planet.

The name 'Wolf Moon' originates from the customs of indigenous North American tribes. They associated the first Full Moon of the year with howling wolves in winter. This year's event marks the first of three Supermoons in 2026, with the next ones appearing on November 24th and December 24th. While no official records track how many Supermoons amateur astronomers in Germany have documented over the past five years, individual sightings often appear on social media and astronomy forums. Each occurrence draws attention for its enhanced visibility and luminosity.

The January 3rd Supermoon will offer a brighter and more prominent display than a typical Full Moon. Its proximity to Earth makes it a notable event for skywatchers. The following Supermoons later in 2026 will provide further opportunities to observe this natural spectacle.