Supermoon to brighten Pakistan skies today

KARACHI:

The first supermoon of 2026 will be visible across Pakistan on January 3 and 4, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

The phenomenon, also known as the Wolf Moon, occurs when the full moon coincides with its closest approach to Earth in an elliptical orbit, making it appear significantly larger and brighter than a typical full moon - up to 14 per cent larger and nearly 30 per cent brighter.

"In Pakistan, the supermoon will rise at 5:51pm PKT on the evening of Jan 3, with an illumination of 99.8pc, and remains visible throughout the nights of Jan 3 and 4," the statement said.

The Wolf Moon is traditionally the first full moon of the year, named after the howling of wolves during winter nights. In 2026, it will qualify as a supermoon due to its proximity to Earth at perigee, enhancing its apparent size and brightness.

According to Suparco, the full moon will rise on January 3, 2026, and remain visible throughout the night of January 2-3. The optimal viewing period will be during moonrise and moonset, around sunset and sunrise, respectively. The event will also coincide with the peak of the Quadrantids meteor shower, offering an additional astronomical spectacle for observers.

The January 3 supermoon marks the final event in a supermoon cycle that began in October 2025. During this event, the distance between the Earth and the Moon will be approximately 362,312 kilometres, making the moon appear about 6 to 7 per cent larger and up to 10 per cent brighter than an average full moon, the statement noted.

Supermoons typically occur in clusters of three to four consecutive events. With the conclusion of the current cycle, the next sequence of supermoons is expected to begin in November 2026.

In 2025, the first supermoon was observed on October 7, followed by another on November 5, known as the Beaver supermoon.