First supermoon of 2026 should be visible this weekend over Ontario

The first supermoon of 2026 should be visible over Ontario and beyond this weekend.

January’s full moon, also known as the Wolf Moon, coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, according to Space.com. This means the moon, known as a supermoon, can appear 30 per cent brighter and 14 per cent larger than the most distant full moon of the year.

The term supermoon was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, but has become a more common term in recent years. Nolle defined a supermoon as a full moon or new moon that is within 90 per cent of its closest point to Earth.

January’s supermoon is the last in a string of four consecutive supermoons, and reaches peak illumination at 5:03 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, according to Space.com.

But to the average viewer, the moon will appear full on Friday, Saturday and likely Sunday night.

Local moonrise and moonset times depends on your location.

In the Greater Toronto Area, Friday’s moonrise is 3:48 p.m., it rises at 5:06 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, and at 6:27 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, according to Time and Date.

Space.com notes that viewers on Friday will see the moon rise shortly before sunset and it will appear particularly large while close to the horizon thanks to a phenomenon called the “moon illusion,” a visual effect that makes low-hanging moons seem oversized.

The same effect may be more noticeable at sunset on the following day, Jan. 3. The moon will rise shortly after sunset on Saturday.

With cloudy or partly cloudy skies forecast on both Friday and Saturday, however, Sunday may be the best day to get a clear view of the supermoon in the Greater Toronto Area.

This will be the last chance to see supermoon for a while. The next one isn’t until Nov. 24, 2026.

Lead photo: Frank Cone