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2h ago

Wolf Supermoon Rises Tonight, Peaks Early Saturday

A rare 'triple boost'—perigee, perihelion, crisp winter skies—could make this full moon unusually bright.

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Jupiter reaches opposition this month, looking its best, while the motions of its moons are fascinating to watch. This 2020 Hubble image shows Jupiter and its icy moon Europa. Credit: NASA, ESA, A. Simon (Goddard Space Flight Center), and M. H. Wong (University of California, Berkeley) and the OPAL team
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Overview

  • Peak illumination arrives around 5:02–5:03 a.m. ET on January 3 (10:02–10:04 GMT), with the most dramatic views at moonrise on January 2–3 along the eastern horizon.
  • As a perigee full moon, it may appear up to about 14% larger and roughly 30% brighter compared with an apogee full moon.
  • The alignment with Earth’s perihelion and typically clear winter air is expected to enhance brightness beyond a standard supermoon.
  • Glare from the bright Moon will likely wash out many Quadrantid meteors for casual observers, though occasional bright fireballs can still break through.
  • No special equipment is required; look for Jupiter shining near the Moon with Pollux in Gemini also nearby, and note two additional supermoons are expected in late November and late December 2026.