Celebration of Space - January 2, 2026
The Full Wolf Moon of January occurs on January 3, 2026
The first full Lunar phase of 2026 will occur on January 3, 2026, at 5:04 am. Considering that this is the closest full Moon to the Winter Solstice, which occurred on December 21, 2025, at 10:03 am, the Moon will be the highest in the sky of all full Lunar phases of 2026 aside from December’s. This is due to the Moon orbiting Earth within 5º of the ecliptic (the path the Sun takes across the sky). On the Winter Solstice, the ecliptic is at its lowest point in the Northern Hemisphere daytime sky, and consequently as its highest at night. We can attribute this phenomenon to Earth’s 23.4º axial tilt. When the full Moon is this high in the sky, the landscape will see an exceeding amount of Moon light, illuminating the new fallen snow. This is also the best time of the year to spot a 22º Lunar or solar halo, which is a result of small hexagonal ice crystals forming and aligning in the stratosphere.
Aside from orbital dynamics and atmospheric optics, the January Moon, like all full Lunar phases, has a cultural significance as well. The common name of this month’s Moon is The Full Wolf Moon. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name comes from the howl of wolves during this time of the year. Though we do not have wolves in Southern New England, we do have a good deal of coyotes and any visitor to Frosty Drew during the colder times of the year will have certainly heard the howl of the coyotes in the wildlife refuge. Other names the January Moon has gone by are: the Frost Exploding Moon, the Freeze Up Moon, the Severe Moon, and the Canada Goose Moon. Regardless of what you call the January Moon, step outside during the later evening hours tomorrow night to catch a glimpse of the Full Wolf Moon, and maybe you will hear a bit of howling or yipping in the distance as coyotes communicate hunting and social bonds with each other.
Overnight tonight, January 2, 2026, marks the peak night of the annual Quadrantid Meteor Shower. Timings of the shower are a bit different than most meteor showers of the year, as this shower has a peak period that lasts about three hours. Depending on the time that the peak occurs can place the best part of the shower during daylight hours. Predicting the peak timing is difficult, and not always all that accurate. In 2026, the peak appears to be centered on 6:00 pm January 2nd, which is generally close to the best case scenario. Unfortunately, the 99% waxing gibbous Moon will be above the horizon for the entire nighttime period, which will obscure all but the brightest meteors.
One of the most interesting things about the Quadrantid shower is its name. All meteor showers are named after the constellation that meteors appear to originate or radiate from. In the case of the Quadrantids, the constellation is Quadrans Muralis, which is now a defunct constellation. The location of Quadrans Muralis overlaps the edges of Hercules, Bootes, and Draco, with the radiant point residing in northern Bootes about 15º from the end of the Big Dipper’s handle – Alkaid.
For those looking to catch a view of the Quadrantids, you will need to find a spot with a wide open view of the sky. Finding a dark location is not necessary this year as the Moon will be what illuminates the night sky. Lay on your back with your feet orientated towards the south and look to the zenith. During perfect viewing conditions (no Moon, no clouds, radiant point high in the sky) a viewer can expect to see an increase in regular meteor activity by about 120 meteors per hour. Though with the bright Moon, this will be more like 1-5 meteors per hour.
The Quadrantids are the last notable meteor shower of the viewing season. After which, the long lull in meteor activity kicks off. The next notable meteor shower will occur in late April when the annual Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks.
Tomorrow, January 3, 2026, Earth will reach the point in our yearly orbit around the Sun where we are at our closest to the star. This is called perihelion, and places Earth at 9.14 million miles distant from the Sun. Aphelion, which is our furthest distance from the Sun, will occur on July 6, 2026, when Earth will be 9.45 million miles distant from the Sun. For Northern Hemisphere residents this may sound strange that the closest point to the Sun occurs during the coldest time of the year. Well, our distance from the Sun is not what gives us our seasons, but instead it is Earth’s 23.4º axial tilt. During the winter months, Earth’s Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, which allows for less direct sunlight to shine on our region, bringing the colder wintertime temps. So step outside tomorrow and celebrate perihelion with a balmy high of 32ºF.
Now that we are at the start of the year, there are a few notable celestial events occurring in 2026 that you will want to get on your calendar now:
1: Total Lunar Eclipse – March 3, 2026, during the morning hours
2: Partial Solar Eclipse – August 12, 2026, during the early afternoon hours
3: Partial Lunar Eclipse – August 27, 2026, during the overnight hours
4: Lunar Occultation of Jupiter – October 6, 2026, during the early morning hours
Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center will be hosting special events for all of these happenings, weather permitting. So get them on your calendar now and look for updates from us as these dates approach.
