The first full moon of 2026, known as the Wolf Moon, put on a spectacular show for skygazers across the United Kingdom, appearing significantly larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
A Breathtaking Celestial Display
Britons wrapped up against the cold to witness the Wolf Moon illuminate the night sky. This event was not just any full moon; it was a supermoon, meaning it coincided with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. This celestial alignment made it appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when the moon is at its farthest point from our planet.
According to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the moon reached its peak fullness at around 10am on Saturday, 3 January 2026. While the timing meant the absolute peak was during daylight hours for the UK, the nights either side offered exceptional views of the glowing orb.
Frosty Conditions for Moon Gazers
Those who ventured out to enjoy the sight faced bitterly cold conditions. Overnight temperatures plummeted below freezing across much of the nation, hovering around 0°C by 10am on Saturday. Only the south-west of England and west Wales experienced slightly milder weather, with some areas reaching 4°C.
Despite the chill, visibility was reported as excellent for most, with clear skies allowing an unobstructed view. As astronomer Jess Lee from the Royal Observatory Greenwich noted on Friday, "You don't need any special equipment or to escape light pollution to enjoy the view, it's a beautiful sight in cities and rural areas alike."
The Meaning Behind the Name and What's Next
The Royal Observatory explains that the traditional name, Wolf Moon, originates from the idea of wolves howling in hunger during the deep winter months. This year's Wolf Moon marked the fourth consecutive supermoon, following the Harvest Moon in October, the Beaver Moon in November, and the Cold Moon in December 2025.
For anyone who missed this stunning event, the next chance to see the moon appear so large and luminous will be in November 2026. This year will also be exceptional for lunar observers, as May 2026 will feature two full Moons, making it a year with 13 full Moons instead of the usual 12.
