The night sky over India was illuminated by a stunning celestial display on January 3 as the first supermoon of 2026 rose shortly after sunset, offering skywatchers a brighter and slightly larger-than-usual full Moon. The event marked not only the first supermoon of the year but also the conclusion of a rare four-month sequence of supermoons that began in October 2025.

A supermoon occurs when a full Moon coincides with, or comes very close to, perigee—the point in the Moon’s elliptical orbit when it is closest to Earth. Because of this proximity, the Moon appears noticeably bigger and brighter than an average full Moon, creating a striking visual experience for observers around the world.

On January 3, the Moon was at a distance of approximately 362,641 kilometres from Earth at its closest point, making it one of the most visually impressive lunar events of the year. Astronomers estimate that during this supermoon, the Moon appeared about 14 per cent larger and nearly 30 per cent brighter than the smallest and dimmest full Moon, which occurs when the Moon is at apogee, its farthest point from Earth.

A Spectacle Shortly After Sunset in India

In India, the supermoon was visible shortly after sunset, offering an especially captivating early-evening view. As the Moon rose low on the horizon between around 5:45 pm and 6 pm IST, it glowed with a warm orange-yellow hue. This colour shift is a natural phenomenon caused by moonlight passing through a thicker layer of Earth’s atmosphere near the horizon, where shorter wavelengths of light are scattered and longer wavelengths dominate.

The low position of the Moon also enhanced the so-called “moon illusion,” an optical effect that makes the Moon appear much larger when it is near the horizon than when it is higher in the sky, even though its actual size does not change. Together, the illusion, colour, and increased brightness made the January 3 supermoon particularly dramatic for casual observers and photographers alike.

The supermoon was widely seen across the country, with clear sightings reported from cities such as Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. Weather conditions played a key role in visibility, and in areas with clear skies, the Moon dominated the evening sky soon after it rose.

When Did the Supermoon Peak?

Globally, the supermoon reached its peak fullness at around 5:30 am Eastern Standard Time (EST), which corresponds to approximately 4 pm IST on January 3, according to reports cited by Space.com. However, peak viewing times for visual impact do not always coincide exactly with the moment of full Moon or perigee.

In India, astronomers and space agencies such as NASA noted that the most appealing views occurred around early evening, when the Moon was both nearly full and close to perigee. This timing allowed Indian skywatchers to enjoy the event without having to stay up late at night or wake up early in the morning.

Across the world, the supermoon appeared at different local times. In New York, it peaked early in the morning at 5:30 am EST. London saw the Moon at its fullest around 10:03 am GMT, while viewers in Tokyo could observe it around 7:30 pm local time. In Sydney, the supermoon became prominent at about 9:03 pm.

The Wolf Moon: January’s Full Moon

January’s full Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon, a name rooted in Northern Hemisphere folklore. Historically, it was associated with the howling of wolves during long, cold winter nights, when food was scarce and the animals were often heard near human settlements. The name has endured through centuries and is still commonly used today.

The January full Moon is also sometimes referred to as the Moon after Yule, reflecting its position in the post-midwinter period of the traditional calendar. While these names are cultural rather than scientific, they add a layer of historical and mythological significance to the lunar event.

Why Supermoons Occur

The Moon does not orbit Earth in a perfect circle. Instead, its path is slightly elliptical, meaning the distance between the Earth and the Moon constantly changes. At perigee, the Moon is closest to Earth, while at apogee, it is farthest away.

A supermoon occurs when a full Moon happens at or very near perigee—typically within about 90 per cent of the closest possible distance. Because the Moon’s orbit gradually shifts due to gravitational interactions with the Earth and the Sun, not every full Moon near perigee is equally close. This is why some supermoons appear more impressive than others.

Supermoons usually occur three to four times a year and often appear in consecutive months when the timing of perigee and the full Moon align repeatedly. The January 3 supermoon marked the end of such a sequence, and after this, the next supermoon is not expected until the latter part of 2026.

How to Watch a Supermoon

One of the most appealing aspects of a supermoon is that it requires no special equipment to enjoy. The event can be seen clearly with the naked eye from any location with an unobstructed view of the sky and minimal cloud cover.

For those seeking a closer look, binoculars or a small telescope can reveal additional details on the lunar surface, such as craters, mountain ranges, and dark plains known as maria. Photographers often take advantage of supermoons to capture dramatic images, especially when the Moon is rising or setting near landmarks or natural features.

Effects Beyond the Night Sky

Beyond its visual beauty, a supermoon can have subtle physical effects on Earth. Because the Moon’s gravitational pull is slightly stronger when it is closer to the planet, supermoons can contribute to marginally higher tides, sometimes referred to as “perigean spring tides.” While these tidal effects are generally modest, they are closely monitored in coastal regions.

For most people, however, the supermoon remains a reminder of the dynamic relationship between the Earth and its only natural satellite. The January 3 event offered a fitting start to the year for astronomy enthusiasts, combining scientific interest, cultural tradition, and sheer visual appeal.

As the Moon slowly climbed higher into the sky and its warm hues faded into a brighter white glow, the first supermoon of 2026 left many observers looking forward to the next time the Moon appears just a little bigger and brighter than usual.