Celestial Event / Why First Supermoon Of 2026 Is Special? Selenophiles Will Love This Secret!
Key Points
- On January 3, the Moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual, visible across India.
- The year will feature three supermoons (Jan 3, Nov 24, Dec 23) and three micromoons (May 1, May 31, Jun 29).
- These rare celestial events can be enjoyed with the naked eye, best seen under clear skies free of clouds and fog.
New Delhi, Jan 2: The first full Moon of the year is set to illuminate the skies on January 3, offering rare and beautiful celestial views to the naked eye.
On this day, the Moon will be at the distance of approximately 3.62 lakh kilometers from the Earth, making it appear about 14 percent larger and nearly 30 percent brighter than a normal full moon. If weather conditions remain favourable, the supermoon will be visible from sunset onwards across Odisha and other parts of India.
The Moon will reach its peak illumination during the afternoon of January 3. However, the best time to witness its true scale is during moonrise later that evening, around 5:45 pm IST.
This will be the first of three supermoons in 2026. The second supermoon of the year will be observed on November 24, followed by the third and final supermoon on December 23.
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Beside this, 2026 will also witness three micromoons, a phenomenon where the full moon appears slightly smaller and dimmer as it occurs when the Moon is at its farthest point from Earth, called apogee. The micromoons will be seen on May 1, May 31, and June 29.
Experts say that these supermoons and micromoons are rare celestial events that can be enjoyed without any special equipment. Clear skies—free from clouds and fog—will offer the best viewing experience.
With multiple lunar events lined up, 2026 promises to be an
exciting year for astronomy enthusiasts and sky gazers.
(Compiled By- Aditi Majhi)
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