When’s the Next Full Moon?
January’s full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, will light up the sky on Saturday, January 3, peaking at 5:03 a.m. EST. You can also catch it shining bright on January 2 and 4.
The Wolf Moon is special because it’s the last of four consecutive supermoons, following October’s Harvest Moon, November’s Beaver Moon, and December’s Cold Moon. Supermoons appear larger and brighter since they coincide with the moon’s closest point to Earth, called perigee.
What Can We Expect from Full Moons in 2026?
In 2026, we’re in for a treat with 13 full moons, including three supermoons and two lunar eclipses. One of these eclipses, on March 3, will be total, making the moon appear a striking reddish-orange for nearly an hour. This event is often referred to as a “blood moon.”
Interestingly, during full moons, the moon’s brightness can make it hard to see its features, particularly for stargazers. However, watching the moon rise as a glowing orb is still a sight to behold.
Mark Your Calendar: Full Moons of 2026
Here are the full moon dates for 2026:
- January 3: Wolf Moon (5:03 a.m. EST)
- February 1: Snow Moon (5:09 p.m. EST)
- March 3: Worm Moon (6:37 a.m. EST) — Total Lunar Eclipse
- April 1: Pink Moon (10:11 p.m. EDT)
- May 1: Flower Moon (1:23 p.m. EDT)
- May 31: Blue Moon (4:45 a.m. EDT)
- June 29: Strawberry Moon (7:56 p.m. EDT) — Micromoon
- July 29: Buck Moon (10:35 a.m. EDT)
- August 28: Sturgeon Moon (12:18 a.m. EDT) — Partial Lunar Eclipse
- September 26: Harvest Moon (12:49 p.m. EDT)
- October 26: Hunter’s Moon (12:11 a.m. EDT)
- November 24: Beaver Moon (9:53 a.m. EST) — Supermoon
- December 23: Cold Moon (8:28 p.m. EST) — Supermoon
For more details on the moon phases and viewing opportunities, check out Time and Date.
Lunar Eclipses in 2026
2026 will feature two noteworthy lunar eclipses. The total lunar eclipse on March 3 will last from 6:04 to 7:02 a.m. EDT. The best views will be from western North America and the Asia Pacific.
Later in the year, on August 27-28, there will be a partial eclipse where most of the Sturgeon Moon enters Earth’s shadow. This will be best seen from North and South America, Europe, and Africa.
A Peek into Moon Phases
The moon goes through a 29.5-day cycle known as its phases, which are influenced by its position relative to Earth and the sun. Scientists identify eight distinct phases:
- New Moon: The moon is between Earth and the sun, and we can’t see it.
- Waxing Crescent: We begin to see a sliver of the moon.
- First Quarter: Half of the moon is illuminated.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half is lit up.
- Full Moon: The entire face is bright and visible.
- Waning Gibbous: The light starts to decrease.
- Last Quarter: Again, half of the moon is visible but in the opposite half from the first quarter.
- Waning Crescent: A small sliver remains before it disappears again.
The cycle ends with the new moon, and the process starts anew. Notably, solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon, with a total solar eclipse occurring on August 12, 2026.
Understanding the cycles of the moon allows us to appreciate its beauty and significance in our lives!
