Overview
- Best views come at moonrise after sunset on Jan. 2–3, when the Moon will look fullest to the eye and no special equipment is needed.
- This full moon qualifies as a supermoon near perigee, appearing slightly larger and brighter, with NASA citing up to about 14% larger and 30% brighter than the year’s smallest full moon.
- The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks around Jan. 4, but the glare will wash out most faint meteors, though occasional bright fireballs remain possible.
- It is the first of three supermoons in 2026, a Blue Moon year with 13 full moons in total.
- For the Northern Hemisphere, January’s full moon rides highest and stays above the horizon longer than any other full moon of 2026.