Full Moonlight
AI Summary1 min read
TL;DR
The first Full Moon of 2026 occurs on January 3, coinciding with Earth's perihelion and the Moon's perigee. Jupiter will be bright and close to the Moon, and the Quadrantid meteor shower may produce fireballs.
Full Moonlight
Image Credit & Copyright: Zhengjie Wu and Jeff Dai (TWAN)
Explanation: The Full Moon is the brightest lunar phase, and tonight you can stand in the light of the first Full Moon of 2026. In fact, the Moon's full phase occurs on January 3 at 10:03 UTC, while only about 7 hours later planet Earth reaches its 2026 perihelion, the closest point in its elliptical orbit around the Sun, at 17:16 UTC. January's Full Moon was also not far from its own perigee, or closest approach to planet Earth. For this lunation the Moon's perigee was on January 1 at 21:44 UTC. You can also spot planet Jupiter, near its brightest for 2026 and close on the sky to the Full Moon tonight. But while you're out skygazing don't forget to look for rare, bright fireballs from the Quadrantid meteor shower.