Full Moonlight
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.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
