You’ve probably noticed the sky getting a little brighter lately. It’s that specific kind of winter glow that makes the snow look like it’s vibrating at night. If you’re looking up tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026, you might be a bit confused.
Honestly? You aren't seeing a full moon tonight.
We are actually sitting right at the New Moon phase. In fact, the moon officially hit its "new" phase at 2:52 P.M. EST today. This means the side of the moon facing us is currently in total shadow. If you go outside tonight expecting a giant glowing orb, you’re going to find a very dark sky instead.
But don't go back inside just yet.
What’s actually happening in the sky?
Because we are at a New Moon, the stargazing is actually better than usual. Without the "light pollution" from a big bright moon, the stars in the winter constellations like Orion and Taurus are incredibly sharp. Plus, Jupiter is absolutely dominating the eastern sky right now. It's hanging out near the stars of Gemini and stays visible almost all night.
If you’re specifically hunting for that massive, "stop-you-in-your-tracks" full moon, you have to wait about two weeks.
The next full moon time peaks on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 5:09 P.M. EST.
This upcoming lunation is popularly known as the Snow Moon. It’s a classic mid-winter event, and in 2026, it’s going to be a particularly high-hanging moon in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Snow Moon: What most people get wrong
Most people think a full moon is a "night-of" event. They mark their calendars for February 1st and think that’s the only time to look up.
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That's a mistake.
To the human eye, the moon looks "full" for about three days. Astronomically, the "full moon" is a single instant when the Earth is positioned directly between the Sun and the Moon. In February, that moment happens right as the sun is setting for many people on the East Coast of the US.
Why the timing matters for February 1st
- The Moonrise Magic: The best time to actually see the moon isn't at the peak (5:09 P.M.). It’s about 15-20 minutes after your local moonrise.
- The Illusion: When the moon is near the horizon, your brain plays a trick on you called the "Moon Illusion." It looks twice as big because your eyes compare it to trees or buildings.
- The Color: Because of something called Rayleigh scattering—the same reason sunsets are red—the Snow Moon will look deep orange or yellow when it first peeks over the horizon.
A look back at the Wolf Moon Supermoon
We just came off a massive celestial high. On January 3, 2026, we had the Wolf Moon, which was also the first supermoon of the year.
A supermoon happens when the moon is at "perigee," which is just a fancy way of saying it’s at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. Because it was closer, it appeared roughly 14% larger and 30% brighter than a standard full moon.
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If you felt like the first week of January was extra bright, you weren't imagining it. The Wolf Moon in Cancer was also the highest-arcing moon of the year, meaning it sat almost directly overhead at midnight, casting shadows that felt as sharp as daylight.
Names and meanings: More than just "Wolf"
The "Wolf Moon" name is usually attributed to the idea that wolves howled more in January due to hunger. Biologists like those at the Wilderness Center have pointed out that wolves don't actually howl more because they're hungry—they're just more vocal in the winter because it's breeding season and they need to protect their territory.
Different cultures have much more descriptive names for this time:
- Center Moon: The Assiniboine people used this because it marks the middle of the cold season.
- Frost Exploding Moon: A Cree name that perfectly describes the sound of trees cracking in extreme cold.
- Great Moon: Used by the Cree to denote the importance of this first lunation of the year.
How to prepare for the February 1st Full Moon
Since tonight is a New Moon (the "dark" phase), use the next few nights to watch the "waxing" process. By January 20th, you’ll see a tiny, 4% sliver of a crescent in the west-southwest just after sunset. It’s arguably the prettiest phase because you can often see "Earthshine"—where the dark part of the moon is dimly lit by light reflecting off the Earth.
When February 1st rolls around, here is how to actually get a good look at the Snow Moon:
1. Check your local moonrise.
While the peak is 5:09 P.M. EST, the moon won't be visible if you have hills or buildings to your east until a bit later. Use an app or a site like TimeandDate to find the exact minute it clears your horizon.
2. Find a "low" eastern view.
You want to see it the moment it breaks the horizon. A park, a beach, or a west-facing balcony won't work. You need to be looking East.
3. Watch the conjunctions.
On the night of the Snow Moon (Feb 1), keep an eye out for bright "stars" nearby. Often, planets like Jupiter or Mars will appear to "snuggle" up to the moon. In 2026, the winter sky is crowded with bright objects that make the moon look even more dramatic.
Why does the 2026 calendar feel so busy?
This year is actually a "Lunar Bonanza." We have 13 full moons in 2026 instead of the usual 12. This happens because the lunar cycle is 29.5 days, and our months are longer. This "extra" moon is coming in May, which will give us a Blue Moon on May 31, 2026.
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If you’re a photographer or just someone who likes to take a walk under the moonlight, this is your year.
Actionable Next Steps:
Tonight, take advantage of the New Moon’s darkness to view Jupiter and the Orion Nebula with a simple pair of binoculars. Then, set a calendar alert for Sunday, February 1st, at 4:50 P.M. local time to catch the beginning of the Snow Moon's rise. If you want to photograph it, use a tripod and a long lens (200mm or more) to truly capture the scale of the moon against the horizon.