Rare Wolf Moon supermoon will be visible on the night of January 2 to early January 3, this will be the first full moon of 2026 and the last supermoon until November.
Best viewing in India is around moonrise between 5:45 pm and 6:00 pm IST, when it appears biggest and brightest.
Jupiter, Saturn, Orion, and the Quadrantid meteor shower may also be visible, making it a perfect night for skywatching.
Skywatchers have a treat awaiting them as a supermoon arrives as the first month of the New Year brings a rare supermoon event. The full moon, also known as the Wolf Moon supermoon, will light up the sky from the night of January 2 till the early hours of January 3. It’s also the first full moon of the year. This full moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual, making it a must-watch event for anyone interested in nature and space. According to experts, this will be the last supermoon of its kind until November 2026.
SurveyIf you’re planning to enjoy this rare event, then you should make sure to head to an open space from where you can see the sky clearly. Furthermore, if you’re planning to capture this rare event, then I’ve also suggested some tips on how you can do so and a list of smartphones I suggest for capturing the Wolf Moon.
Best time to view the Wolf Moon supermoon in India
‘The supermoon will reach its brightest phase during the early morning hours, but it will also be visible during the entire night. Observers are recommended to view the moon during the time of moonrise or moonset for a clear view. At these times, the moon is also bigger near the horizon. This phenomenon is also known as the moon illusion’, said Dr Michio Kaku, a renowned physicist and cosmologist. ‘This is because our eyes perceive objects at a distance differently,’ he added.
While the moon is expected to reach its full illumination around 3:33 pm IST, it will be below the horizon at that time, hence making it difficult for the Indian skywatchers. The most striking view is expected during moonrise between about 5:45 pm and 6:00 pm IST, when the moon appears larger and brighter near the eastern horizon.
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Captivating features of the Wolf Moon supermoon
Another thing that draws the attention towards this Wolf Moon is its colour. When the moon reaches its full moon stage and rises in the sky, its colour is usually bright white. However, as the moon rises near the horizon, the colour changes to a warm, bright orange. This happens because the moonlight has to travel through more of Earth’s atmosphere. As the light travels, the blue light is scattered away, while the red and orange light continues through. Because of this, the moon appears orange when it is low in the sky.
Jupiter, Saturn and more will also be visible with the Wolf Moon supermoon
The January supermoon is not the only attraction in the night sky. On the same night, Jupiter will appear close to the moon and can be spotted with the naked eye. The well-known Orion constellation will also shine clearly in the winter sky. Saturn will be visible in the southwest direction around the time of moonrise, adding more charm to the evening for sky lovers.
This period also matches the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower, which usually takes place between January 2 and January 3. This meteor shower is famous for bright meteors, often called fireballs. While the bright moonlight may hide some faint meteors, the brighter ones should still be visible, especially after midnight and before dawn.
Best camera phones to shoot the Wolf Moon supermoon in India
Even with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it can prove to be a challenge to click wonderful photos of the moon. The good news is that the camera available in today’s top smartphones is more than sufficient to click the amazing photos of the supermoon known as the Wolf Moon.
If you have one of the latest smartphones with a focus on camera capabilities, you will be able to photograph the Wolf Moon shining full and bright in the sky. Here are a few of the best smartphones we recommend to capture the Wolf Moon event:
- Vivo X300 Pro Teleconverter Kit
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra with Teleconverter Kit
- Oppo Find X9 Pro with Teleconverter Kit
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
These phones provide high-resolution sensors, optical and hybrid zoom, and enhanced night and HDR processing, thus making them the best for supermoon photography.
However, even if you are using a typical smartphone camera, there are ways on how to take great pictures of the Wolf Moon. Here are some tips:
- Switch to Pro mode/Night mode and reduce the ISO to prevent it from being overexposed.
- A tripod can also be used to prevent camera shake.
- Refrain from zooming too much, and when possible, use optical zoom for more detailed photos.
- Tap to focus on the moon and back off the exposure slightly.
- Shoot a few photos at different exposure settings to get the optimal result.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
