The first full moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Supermoon, is all set to rise this weekend on January 3, 2026, marking the year’s opening celestial highlight. As per NASA, a supermoon occurs when the full Moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee, making it appear larger and brighter than a typical full moon. January’s full Moon will be at its peak illumination, at around 10:03 GMT (5:03 am EST), though it will be visible on the evenings of January 2 and 3 as it climbs the eastern horizon at dusk.&nbsp;<h2>The Name</h2>&nbsp;The name Wolf Moon has deep historical roots. Live Sciences says that according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon gets its name because wolves were more likely to be heard howling during these cold winter nights. Other western cultures names of this full moon includes the Cold Moon or Freeze-Up Moon, reflecting seasonal conditions and light influences from ancient observations. This will be the first of three supermoons in 2026, with the year’s largest and closest supermoon scheduled for December 24.&nbsp;<h2>How to view and enjoy the supermoon</h2>&nbsp;To see the Wolf Supermoon at its best, observers should look to the eastern horizon at sunset on January 2 and 3. When the Moon is low in the sky, optical effects such as the moon illusion can make it appear impressively large to the naked eye. Unlike dimmer night-sky phenomena, a supermoon is bright enough to be visible even from urban locations with light pollution.&nbsp;Because it's the full moon closest to the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the Wolf Moon will also make the highest arc through the night sky of any full moon, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. At the perigee the Moon is about 2,20,000 miles away from Earth, compared to at its furthest point - or apogee - around 2,50,000 miles away. The Wolf Moon in January 2026 happens to be the final one in a sequence that began back in late 2025.

The Wolf Moon in January 2026 ]happens to be the final one in a sequence that began back in late 2025.

The first full moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Supermoon, is all set to rise this weekend on January 3, 2026, marking the year’s opening celestial highlight. As per NASA, a supermoon occurs when the full Moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee, making it appear larger and brighter than a typical full moon. January’s full Moon will be at its peak illumination, at around 10:03 GMT (5:03 am EST), though it will be visible on the evenings of January 2 and 3 as it climbs the eastern horizon at dusk. The Name The name Wolf Moon has deep historical roots. Live Sciences says that according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the full moon gets its name because wolves were more likely to be heard howling during these cold winter nights. Other western cultures names of this full moon includes the Cold Moon or Freeze-Up Moon, reflecting seasonal conditions and light influences from ancient observations. This will be the first of three supermoons in 2026, with the year’s largest and closest supermoon scheduled for December 24. How to view and enjoy the supermoon To see the Wolf Supermoon at its best, observers should look to the eastern horizon at sunset on January 2 and 3. When the Moon is low in the sky, optical effects such as the moon illusion can make it appear impressively large to the naked eye. Unlike dimmer night-sky phenomena, a supermoon is bright enough to be visible even from urban locations with light pollution. Because it's the full moon closest to the winter solstice on Dec. 21, the Wolf Moon will also make the highest arc through the night sky of any full moon, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. At the perigee the Moon is about 2,20,000 miles away from Earth, compared to at its furthest point - or apogee - around 2,50,000 miles away. The Wolf Moon in January 2026 happens to be the final one in a sequence that began back in late 2025.

The Wolf Moon in January 2026 ]happens to be the final one in a sequence that began back in late 2025.

What is the Wolf Supermoon? All you need to know about the first full moon of 2026

Several legends are linked with Moon. One of the special ones is the tale of ‘Wolf Moon’. Well, you can speculate but the first full moon of the year is called ‘Wolf Moon’. &nbsp;&nbsp;

It is expected to rise on Monday at 5:39 pm ET, as per Timeanddate.com. If the weather allows, southeast United States will be able to witness it clearly. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The cloud cover may be minimal enough to help you get a nice view of the moon. The peak illumination will happen at 6:48 pm, as per NASA.

As there may be partly cloudy sky in some central parts of the country, they may also be able to enjoy the view of the bright Moon. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-potato-in-space-in-unique-discovery-oblong-shaped-planet-found-444593" hreflang="en">A potato in space? In unique discovery, oblong-shaped planet found</a>

As full moons generally don’t look the same, each has a specific name according to different countries and cultures.&nbsp;

The tale of the origin of the name of ‘Wolf Moon’ also varies. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/plan-to-dim-sun-rays-gets-thumbs-down-from-experts-here-is-why-445348" hreflang="en">Plan to ‘dim sun rays’ gets thumbs down from experts. Here is why</a>

"Wolf Moon is also an old European name for the second full Moon of winter (the midwinter Moon)," said NASA's Gordon Johnston. &nbsp;

The name ‘Wolf Moon’ has come from the thought that wolves howl at the Moon out of hunger in the winters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

So, don’t miss the opportunity and ‘look up’ in the sky. It should surely not be missed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Several legends are linked with Moon. One of the special ones is the tale of ‘Wolf Moon’. Well, you can speculate but the first full moon of the year is called ‘Wolf Moon’.

Several legends are linked with Moon. One of the special ones is the tale of ‘Wolf Moon’. Well, you can speculate but the first full moon of the year is called ‘Wolf Moon’. It is expected to rise on Monday at 5:39 pm ET, as per Timeanddate.com. If the weather allows, southeast United States will be able to witness it clearly. The cloud cover may be minimal enough to help you get a nice view of the moon. The peak illumination will happen at 6:48 pm, as per NASA. As there may be partly cloudy sky in some central parts of the country, they may also be able to enjoy the view of the bright Moon. Also Read: A potato in space? In unique discovery, oblong-shaped planet found As full moons generally don’t look the same, each has a specific name according to different countries and cultures. The tale of the origin of the name of ‘Wolf Moon’ also varies. Also Read: Plan to ‘dim sun rays’ gets thumbs down from experts. Here is why "Wolf Moon is also an old European name for the second full Moon of winter (the midwinter Moon)," said NASA's Gordon Johnston. The name ‘Wolf Moon’ has come from the thought that wolves howl at the Moon out of hunger in the winters. So, don’t miss the opportunity and ‘look up’ in the sky. It should surely not be missed. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Look up’ to witness magnificent ‘Wolf Moon’ in US. Check out the timing

The first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/things-to-about-the-lunar-eclipse-happening-tomorrow-273131#partial-lunar-eclipse%C2%A0-273116">penumbral lunar eclipse</a> of the year is&nbsp;taking&nbsp;place today, on 10th January.

During the eclipse, the Moon passes directly behind Earth and its shadow.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is one of the four penumbral lunar eclipses that will occur this year. &nbsp;

A penumbral lunar eclipse&nbsp;occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are&nbsp;in an imperfect alignment with each other.&nbsp;

The Earth blocks partial&nbsp;sunlight from directly reaching the Moon's surface and covers all or part of the Moon with the outer part of its shadow, also known as the penumbra.

It will be visible in India and several other countries across Asia, Africa and Europe.&nbsp;

In India, the lunar eclipse can be seen from 10:30 pm on Friday, January 10 till 2:42 am on&nbsp;January 11.

It is called as the 'wolf lunar eclipse', as it is the first full moon of January which was named so by the Almanac tribe of the Northern and Eastern United States.&nbsp;

The term Wolf Moon is also called Ice Moon or the Moon after Yule, Shakambhari Purnima, Paush Purnima, and Duruthu Poya.

According to the Hindu calendar, the full Moon is called the Shakambhari Purnima, the last day of the eight-day Shakambari Navratri holiday that commemorates the goddess Shakambhari. 
&nbsp; 
Taking baths in the holy waters of India is considered essential&nbsp;for Shakambari Navratri.&nbsp;

Buddhists of Sri Lanka also celebrate the day as Duruthu Poya, which to celebrate of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka.

It is absolutely safe to watch this lunar eclipse with naked eyes, unlike any solar eclipses which require eye protection gears to watch them.&nbsp;

However, a telescope will be needed it watch it. &nbsp;

According to NASA, this lunar eclipse will make way for longer days ahead.&nbsp;

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🌖 What will the Moon look like throughout 2020? Using data from our <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAMoon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAMoon</a> Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to visualize with unprecedented fidelity, <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGoddard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAGoddard</a>'s Dial-a-Moon shows each hour: <a href="https://t.co/iPrELt2wNN">https://t.co/iPrELt2wNN</a> 
 
🎦 Watch a full year of Moon phases: <a href="https://t.co/AQnn8FxCe7">https://t.co/AQnn8FxCe7</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fy6GVBelFo">pic.twitter.com/Fy6GVBelFo</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1212857694174023681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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“On the evening of the full Moon, as evening twilight ends, the brightest planet in the sky will be Venus, appearing as the evening star in the southwest about 19 degrees above the horizon. No particularly bright star will appear near overhead. The highest bright star will be Capella, appearing about 46 degrees above the northeastern horizon&nbsp; As the month progresses the background of stars will appear to shift toward the west, while Venus will appear to shift the other direction, higher in the sky each night,” according to Gordon Johnston of NASA.

The first penumbral lunar eclipse of the year is taking place today, on 10th January. During the eclipse, the Moon passes directly behind Earth and its shadow. It is one of the four penumbral lunar eclipses that will occur this year.

The first penumbral lunar eclipse of the year is taking place today, on 10th January. During the eclipse, the Moon passes directly behind Earth and its shadow. It is one of the four penumbral lunar eclipses that will occur this year. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in an imperfect alignment with each other. The Earth blocks partial sunlight from directly reaching the Moon's surface and covers all or part of the Moon with the outer part of its shadow, also known as the penumbra. It will be visible in India and several other countries across Asia, Africa and Europe. In India, the lunar eclipse can be seen from 10:30 pm on Friday, January 10 till 2:42 am on January 11. It is called as the 'wolf lunar eclipse', as it is the first full moon of January which was named so by the Almanac tribe of the Northern and Eastern United States. The term Wolf Moon is also called Ice Moon or the Moon after Yule, Shakambhari Purnima, Paush Purnima, and Duruthu Poya. According to the Hindu calendar, the full Moon is called the Shakambhari Purnima, the last day of the eight-day Shakambari Navratri holiday that commemorates the goddess Shakambhari. Taking baths in the holy waters of India is considered essential for Shakambari Navratri. Buddhists of Sri Lanka also celebrate the day as Duruthu Poya, which to celebrate of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. It is absolutely safe to watch this lunar eclipse with naked eyes, unlike any solar eclipses which require eye protection gears to watch them. However, a telescope will be needed it watch it. According to NASA, this lunar eclipse will make way for longer days ahead. 🌖 What will the Moon look like throughout 2020? Using data from our @NASAMoon Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to visualize with unprecedented fidelity, @NASAGoddard's Dial-a-Moon shows each hour: https://t.co/iPrELt2wNN 🎦 Watch a full year of Moon phases: https://t.co/AQnn8FxCe7 pic.twitter.com/Fy6GVBelFo — NASA (@NASA) January 2, 2020 × “On the evening of the full Moon, as evening twilight ends, the brightest planet in the sky will be Venus, appearing as the evening star in the southwest about 19 degrees above the horizon. No particularly bright star will appear near overhead. The highest bright star will be Capella, appearing about 46 degrees above the northeastern horizon As the month progresses the background of stars will appear to shift toward the west, while Venus will appear to shift the other direction, higher in the sky each night,” according to Gordon Johnston of NASA.

World to witness 2020's first Lunar eclipse today

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What is the Wolf Supermoon? All you need to know about the first full moon of 2026

‘Look up’ to witness magnificent ‘Wolf Moon’ in US. Check out the timing

World to witness 2020's first Lunar eclipse today