January Full Moon 2026: Wolf Moon Near Glowing Jupiter
The year of 13 Full Moons begins with the Wolf Full Moon on January 3. Read on to learn what these wild animals have to do with our natural satellite. To find out when the Moon rises and sets in your city, and what celestial objects it passes by, use the free Sky Tonight app. Now let's prepare to watch the January Full Moon.
Contents
- January 2026 Moon Dates & Time
- When Is the Next Full Moon After January 3?
- January Full Moon in Gemini
- Bright “stars” next to the Full Moon in January 2026
- What Is a Wolf Moon: Meaning and Origin of the Name
- January Full Moon 2026: Key Points
January 2026 Moon Dates & Time
Moon Phases in January 2026
- Full Moon: January 3, 10:03 GMT
- Last Quarter: January 10, 15:48 GMT
- New Moon: January 18, 19:52 GMT
- First Quarter: January 26, 04:47 GMT
To learn what the Moon looks like tonight, visit the new Moon Phases section on our website. There, you can check out the monthly lunar calendar and find out the Moon phase for any specific day, as well as the moonrise and moonset times.
When is the Full Moon in January 2026?
The Wolf Moon in January 2026 will be the first Full Moon this year. The exact time of the Full Wolf Moon is January 3, 10:03 GMT. At this moment, the Moon will reach its peak brightness, shining with a magnitude of -12.7. It will be in the constellation Gemini. Our natural satellite is the brightest object in the night sky and is easily observable even without special equipment. The lunar disk will look full to the naked eye for several days, starting around January 1.
To see more details on the lunar surface, grab a pair of binoculars. A pair of binoculars with 12x magnification is the best option for viewing the Moon, but when the lunar disk is fully illuminated, any magnification level is suitable. A prominent and spectacular target for spotting is the crater Tycho. To quickly locate it on the lunar surface, use our Star Walk 2 app — find the Moon there and choose the “Atlas” tab.
When Is the New Moon in January 2026?
The New Moon will occur on January 18 at 19:52 GMT. On this day, the Moon will be completely invisible, and it will also be challenging to see it on the days before and after. This is a great opportunity to observe deep-sky objects, like the Beehive star cluster in the Northern Hemisphere or the Omicron Velorum Cluster in the Southern Hemisphere.
When Is the Next Full Moon After January 3?
The next Full Moon after the Full Moon on January 3 will be the Full Snow Moon on February 1, at 22:09 GMT. Check the Moon phases for every day with our online lunar calendar
When is the next Full Wolf Moon?
In 2026, we’ll see the Full Wolf Moon on January 3, at 10:03 GMT. After that, the next Wolf Moon will occur on January 22, 2027, at 12:17 GMT.
January Full Moon in Gemini
The January Full Moon can appear in either Cancer or Gemini, depending on the year. In 2026, it will occur in the constellation Gemini.
Astrologers claim that the Full Moon on January 3 is in the sign of Cancer, but zodiac signs and zodiac constellations don’t always match up. Curious why? Check out our zodiac infographic to better understand the difference.
Bright “stars” next to the Full Moon in January 2026
The Full Moon is beautiful on its own, but being aware of the bright stars and planets next to it will make your stargazing night even better.
To identify bright sky objects near the Moon, use the sky map app — Sky Tonight. Launch the app and point it up into the sky. Sky Tonight will show you the names of all stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial bodies. Tap a big blue button in the lower part of your screen to turn on the AR mode.
Full Moon near Jupiter and Pollux
The January Full Moon will have a brilliant companion – Jupiter, the largest planet in our Solar System. Shining at magnitude -2.7, Jupiter will easily outshine every star in the night sky with its steady yellowish glow. It’s the perfect time to observe Jupiter, as it is approaching its opposition on January 10, when it appears at its biggest and brightest of the year. Find out more about oppositions and learn the dates of the upcoming ones in our dedicated article.
On January 3 at 20:53 GMT, the Full Moon and Jupiter will be just 3°30′ apart, close enough to fit together in a single field of view through binoculars.
You might also notice another bright point nearby: Pollux (mag 1.2), the brightest star in Gemini. Like Jupiter, it shines with a yellowish hue, but far more faintly. Still, Pollux is also visible with the naked eye. Together, Jupiter, Pollux, and the Full Moon will form a striking celestial triangle – a photo-worthy moment you won’t want to miss!
Full Moon inside the Winter Hexagon
From January 1 to 4, our natural satellite will be passing through the Winter Hexagon asterism, which is composed of six stars: Sirius from Canis Major, Procyon from Canis Minor, Rigel from Orion, Aldebaran from Taurus, Pollux from Gemini, and Capella from Auriga.
January Full Moon and the Quadrantid Meteor Shower Peak – Who Will Win?
This year, the January Full Moon arrives right as the Quadrantid meteor shower reaches its peak on January 3. The Quadrantids are usually one of the best showers of the year, producing up to 120 meteors per hour. But this time, the bright moonlight will wash out most of the meteors.
Still, you can improve your chances for meteor hunting: start watching right after sunset, when the Moon is still low on the horizon or hidden behind trees, buildings, or mountains. From the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll have the best view, since the Quadrantids’ radiant lies in the northern constellation Bootes. In the Southern Hemisphere, the radiant stays low, so only a handful of meteors may be visible.
What Is a Wolf Moon: Meaning and Origin of the Name
People from different cultures gave Full Moons names that represented the peculiarities of the lunar month in which they occur. Throughout cold January nights, the howling of wolves could be heard around villages in both Europe and America, so the January Full Moon became widely known as the Wolf Moon.
People used to believe that wolves howl because of winter hunger, but today we know that wolves generally use vocalizations to communicate, reinforce social bonds, and coordinate hunting.
January Full Moon Alternative Names
Full Moons are called differently in other cultures. Some people didn’t put wolves at the forefront and highlighted the other peculiarities of the month. Depending on the region, you can hear such names as the Bear Moon, Bear Hunting Moon, and Goose Moon. One of the Celtic names for the January Full Moon is the Stay Home Moon, which sounds like sensible advice when it's cold winter outside, and wolves are howling. In the Anglo-Saxon tradition, it can be referred to as Moon After Yule, the name given to the first Full Moon after the winter solstice.
Here are some more examples:
- Chinese: Holiday Moon
- Celtic: Quiet Moon
- North American: Old Moon
- Cherokee: Cold Moon
- Southern Hemisphere: Hay Moon, Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, Mead Moon
Wolf Moon: Spiritual Meaning
The Wolf Moon, the first Full Moon of the year, is rich in symbolic meaning across many cultures. Traditionally, it’s thought to represent themes of protection and community — like the howl of the wolf, underscoring our ties to our "pack." Many people use this Moon as an opportunity for emotional reflection, reconnecting with their intuition, and honoring the relationships that matter most. It's also seen as a moment for setting intentions and recognizing inner strength. Naturally, these interpretations are not based on astronomy — they are part of folklore and magical thinking, and are simply an additional fun way to view the night sky.
January Full Moon 2026: Key Points
The first Full Moon of 2026, the Wolf Moon, rises on January 3 at 10:03 GMT. Named for the howling wolves of winter, this Full Moon is a special sight. The Full Moon shines alongside Jupiter, which is nearing its brightest, making the pair a stunning duo in the night sky.
At the same time, the Quadrantid meteor shower will be peaking. While the Moon’s glow may wash out many of the shooting stars, patient observers could still catch both meteors and the Full Moon in a single night.
Enjoy the first Full Moon of the year and its celestial companions. For more events, check out our full January astronomy guide.
Clear skies and happy stargazing!
