A Supermoon to Start the Fire Horse Year
This year’s Wolf Moon is also a supermoon, coinciding with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth. As a result, it can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon.
“Supermoons tend to look especially dramatic near the horizon,” astronomers note, thanks to the so-called moon illusion. This January supermoon is the last in a series of four, with the next not expected until November 24, 2026.
For those following lunar lore alongside the Chinese zodiac, the Wolf Moon also arrives as the calendar turns toward the Fire Horse year, a symbol often associated with energy, transformation, and bold beginnings.
Best Times to Watch the Wolf Moon Rise
Skywatchers should look east at dusk on January 2 to see the Wolf Moon rise shortly before sunset. On January 3, it will rise into a darker sky, often appearing tinged with orange or yellow as Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light.
