ISLAMABAD: This weekend the first full moon of 2026 will rise. The moon will appear brighter and bigger than a usual super moon. It will be named as the “Wolf Moon”. Interestingly, the moon will visually pair with planet Jupiter.
On Saturday, January 3 at 5:02 a.m. EST, the Wolf Moon will reach its full phase. The most dramatic views can be caught by stargazers later in night.
How to watch the full moon?
Just after sunset the moon will rise in the eastern sky and it will be the best time to watch the moon. In this time periods people will be able to observe the glowing full moon. It will be flanked by Jupiter the solar system’s largest planet and Pollux, a bright star in the constellation Gemini.
Reason behind the name “Wolf Moon”:
The first full moon of 2026 has earned the name from longstanding traditions in North America. In North America January was associated with the howling of wolves especially during the harsh midwinter months. Interesting different parts of wolrd named the moon differently. It is also known as Hard Moon, Cold Moon and Moon after Yule in Europe.
January’s full moon will also be considered a super moon. It will be occurring near perigee. Which is the point in moon’s orbit which is closest to earth.
The Wolf Moon will be slightly larger and 30 per cent brighter than a typical full moon. This will the first super moon of 2026 but the 4rth consecutive super moon. People observed the last super moon in November.
The Wolf Moon will also be coinciding with Earth’s perihelion. The closest annual approach to sun, which will be occurring just days later.
Additionally, the Wolf Moon coincides closely with Earth’s perihelion, closest annual approach to the sun, which occurs just days later.
Also read: Rajab moon sighted in Pakistan
