Supermoon Calendar 2026

TL;DR: There are 8 supermoons in 2026 – 3 full and 5 new. The full supermoons fall on January 3, November 24, and December 24. The closest full supermoon of the year is December 24 at just 356,740 km. No supermoon is visible tonight unless you’re reading this on one of those dates. Scroll to the tables for exact times and distances.

When is the Next Supermoon?

There are 8 supermoons in 2026: 3 full and 5 new. Check the tables below for the full list of all supermoon dates.

Full Supermoons of 2026

Here are the Full Supermoons of 2026, listed with their distances from Earth.

• The December 24, 2026 Full Moon will be the closest Full Supermoon of the year.

See Full Moon Dates 2026 🌕

New Supermoons of 2026

New moons aren’t visible to the naked eye, but they still count as supermoons under Richard Nolle’s original definition (any new or full moon near perigee). These five new supermoons complete the 2026 supermoon dates list.

• The closest New Supermoon of 2026 occurs on June 15.

See New Moon Dates 2026 🌑

What is a Supermoon?

A supermoon is a full moon (or new moon) that coincides with the Moon reaching perigee – its closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. The term was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, though “supermoon” isn’t an official astronomical term. Scientists prefer perigee-syzygy Moon.

Because the Moon is closer than usual, a full moon supermoon appears slightly larger and noticeably brighter than an average full moon. The perigee moon sits roughly 363,300 km from Earth on average, compared to about 405,500 km at its farthest.

Why does the Moon’s distance change?

The Moon does not orbit Earth in a perfect circle. Its distance varies by about 50,000 kilometers between apogee, the farthest point, and perigee, the closest point.

At perigee, the Moon is roughly 363,000 kilometers away. At apogee, it can be more than 405,000 kilometers distant. This changing distance is the reason we get supermoons and micromoons during different full Moons each year.

How much bigger does a Supermoon look?

Compared to an average full Moon, a supermoon can appear about 7 percent larger in diameter and up to 15 percent brighter.

To the naked eye, this difference is modest. Many people notice it most when comparing photos or when the Moon rises near buildings or trees. This visual trick, called the Moon illusion, can make the supermoon feel dramatic even though the size change is small.

Does a Supermoon affect Earth?

Supermoons slightly enhance ocean tides, producing what are known as perigean spring tides. These tides are higher than average but usually not extreme on their own.

They do not cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or major disasters. Those claims have no scientific basis. That said, when a supermoon coincides with storms or high winds, coastal flooding can become more noticeable.

Supermoon vs micromoon

A micromoon is the opposite of a supermoon: a full or new moon that occurs near apogee, the Moon’s farthest point from Earth (~405,500 km). It appears roughly 12–14% smaller and noticeably dimmer than a full supermoon.

The angular diameter difference is real – about 0.5° vs 0.56° – but unless you’re comparing two images side by side, most observers won’t notice. The brightness gap is more obvious: a supermoon can be up to 30% brighter than a micromoon.

How to observe a supermoon

You don’t need a telescope to watch the supermoon. Here’s how to get the most out of it:

• Check your moonrise time. The best time to see a supermoon is right at moonrise or moonset, when it’s near the horizon. Use timeanddate.com or the USNO Moon data tool to find the exact time for your location.
• Get outside 10–15 minutes early. You want to catch the Moon as it clears the horizon – that’s when the horizon illusion makes it look its largest.
• Find a clear sightline. A hilltop, rooftop, or open field beats a street-level view blocked by buildings.
• Binoculars help. Even a basic 7×50 pair reveals craters and maria you’d miss with the naked eye.
• Escape light pollution. If you’re asking is there a super moon tonight from a city centre, you’ll still see it – but driving 20 minutes out of town makes a real difference in how bright and detailed it looks.

Supermoon astrophotography tips

Supermoon astrophotography rewards a bit of planning. Here’s what actually works:

1. Use the “Looney 11” rule as a starting point. Set your aperture to f/11, ISO 100, and shutter speed 1/100 sec. Adjust from there – the Moon is brighter than most people expect.
2. Include a foreground subject. A city skyline, a mountain ridge, or a lone tree makes the shot. Use PhotoPills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris to plan exactly where the Moon will rise relative to your chosen landmark.
3. Shoot at moonrise or moonset. The low angle gives you that warm orange glow and a dramatic foreground. It also makes the Moon look bigger in the frame.
4. Use a tripod and manual focus. Autofocus hunts in the dark. Focus on the Moon manually, set it to infinity, and lock it off.
5. Bracket your exposures. Take shots at your base setting, then one stop brighter and one stop darker. The Moon’s brightness changes fast as it climbs.
6. Phone cameras work. Modern iPhones and Android flagships can capture a decent supermoon shot. Lock the exposure by tapping and holding on the Moon in your viewfinder, then slide the exposure down. A phone tripod mount is worth the few euros it costs.

FAQ’s ❓

Useful sources

• NASA – Supermoons
• NOAA – Perigean Spring Tides
• EarthSky – What is a supermoon?
• USNO Moon Rise/Set Calculator
• timeanddate.com – Moon calculator