Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: The first supermoon of 2026 will grace the night sky on January 3, offering skywatchers a stunning celestial display. Due to its close proximity to Earth, this full Moon will appear nearly 14% larger and about 30% brighter than the smallest full Moon of the year.

A supermoon occurs when a full Moon coincides with perigee-the point in the Moon’s orbit when it is closest to Earth. During this event, the near side of the Moon will be fully illuminated by the Sun, making it appear significantly larger and brighter than usual. The Moon will be approximately 362,641 kilometers away from Earth during this spectacle.

In India, the supermoon will be visible shortly after sunset, making it an ideal opportunity for evening sky gazing. The best time to catch a glimpse of this awe-inspiring sight is during moonrise, which is expected to occur between 5:45 pm and 6 pm IST, weather permitting.

According to space reports, the supermoon will reach its peak at around 5:30 am EST (4 pm IST) on January 3. This celestial event will be visible across the globe at different local times: early morning in New York, late morning in London, evening in Tokyo, and around nightfall in Sydney.

As the Moon rises near the horizon, it is expected to appear in warm orange-yellow hues. The phenomenon of the Moon appearing larger near the horizon is known as the "moon illusion," which makes low-lying celestial objects appear bigger than they truly are.

This full Moon in January is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon, a name inspired by folklore from the Northern Hemisphere, where wolves are said to howl during long winter nights. It is also referred to as the “Moon after Yule.”

Skywatchers are encouraged to find an open space with a clear view of the horizon to fully experience the first supermoon of 2026.