When is the next full moon?
The next full moon occurs on Saturday, January 3, when January’s full moon—known as the Wolf Moon—reaches peak illumination at 5:03 a.m. EST. It will also look bright and nearly full on Friday (January 2) and Sunday (January 4).
Why is this Wolf Moon special?
It is the second-highest full moon of the year.
It marks the last of four consecutive supermoons, following:
October’s Harvest Moon
November’s Beaver Moon
December’s Cold Moon
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon happens when a full moon occurs near perigee—the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit—making it appear larger and brighter than usual.
By contrast, a micromoon occurs when a full moon coincides with apogee, the Moon’s farthest point from Earth, causing it to appear smaller in the sky.
Tip for skywatchers: Look for the Wolf Moon rising shortly after sunset on January 2 for an impressive view near the horizon.
