New Year’s First Supermoon To Outshine Quadrantids

The New Year is delivering a celestial bonanza for skywatchers this weekend. The first full moon of 2026 is not only a supermoon, but it will shine a little brighter thanks to a rare celestial alignment. Plus, the Quadrantid meteor shower will peak. Here’s all you need to know:

Traditionally known as the “wolf moon,” Saturday’s full moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual, as the moon makes its closest approach to Earth.

That lunar spectacle will get a little boost of brightness from the sun, because the Earth will have reached its perihelion – its closest orbital swing to the sun.

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The sun's proximity provides stronger illumination for the moon to reflect, while the moon's closer position to Earth makes that reflection appear more intense from our vantage point.

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Our newsletter subscribers got the early scoop on just how rare this new year’s alignment between the Earth, moon and sun is, when senior editorial writer Chris DeWeese shared that it hasn’t happened since 1912.

That alignment creates a bittersweet situation for stargazers. The Quadrantid meteor shower also peaks Saturday and while it’s usually one of the most reliable displays, the supermoon’s enhanced brightness is almost guaranteed to wash out those shooting stars.

Best Viewing Times

For early risers, the wolf supermoon will reach its peak fullness at 5:20 a.m. Eastern on Saturday.

However, you might actually prefer dusk viewing, when the moon rises against a darkening sky, creating that breathtaking effect that makes it appear especially large near the horizon.

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Weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman says “Early Saturday, the clearest skies for viewing will be from eastern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas northward into the HIgh Plains of Colorado and western Kansas.”

He adds, “Some partly cloudy skies are also possible in parts of eastern New England before sunrise Saturday.”

On Saturday night, Erdman explains much of the nation's mid-section from Texas and the northern Gulf Coast, to the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys should have at least partly cloudy skies to let you have a good look at the supermoon.

Last Supermoon Until Fall

While January’s supermoon is the fourth consecutive one, it will also be the last one until November. So while the winter temperatures may be a deterrent for many of you, bundle up and take a moment outside to witness this weekend’s wonder.