Why is it in News?
→ First full moon of 2026 peaked as a Wolf Supermoon on 2 January.
→ Rare coincidence of Wolf Moon and Supermoon was observed.
Important Points:
- Wolf Moon is January’s first full moon.
- Name rooted in indigenous, Celtic, and Old English traditions.
- Supermoon occurs when full moon coincides with perigee.
- Moon appears slightly larger and brighter during supermoon.
- Moon follows an elliptical orbit around Earth.
- Perigee is closest point; apogee is farthest point.
- Visual enlargement partly due to moon illusion.
- No physical change occurs in the Moon itself.