Skywatchers are in for a treat as a bright Wolf Supermoon lights up the night sky on January 3, marking the first supermoon of 2026. On this night, the Moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual, making it one of the most eye-catching lunar events of the year. What makes this Moon special? This full Moon will be much closer to Earth than usual about 3,62,000 km away. Because of this, it will look 6–14% larger and up to 30% brighter than a Moon seen at its farthest point, called a micromoon. That extra shine is what turns a regular full Moon into a supermoon. Why is it called the Wolf Moon? January’s full Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon. The name comes from old Northern Hemisphere folklore, where people linked the cold winter nights with wolves howling outside villages. Today, the name is mostly cultural but it still adds charm to the event. When is the best time to watch? The Moon will be officially full around 3:32–3:34 pm IST on January 3. But don’t worry you won’t miss it. It will look full for a couple of nights before and after that time.The best views will be at moonrise on January 2 and 3, when the Moon appears low in the eastern sky. At this angle, it can glow yellow or orange due to Earth’s atmosphere. You may also spot bright Jupiter nearby, creating a stunning sky pairing. Will it be visible in India? Yes, the Wolf Supermoon will be visible across India. Look towards the eastern sky shortly after sunset, around 5:45–6:00 pm IST. The Moon will stay visible all night, setting in the west by dawn. No special equipment is needed. You can enjoy this lunar show with just your eyes, or use a camera or telescope if you have one. Clear skies will make the view even better.
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