ANNAPOLIS, MD—Stargazers in Maryland are in for a busy start to the year as 2026 kicks off with a rare lunar schedule, a major meteor shower, and a bright planetary conjunction.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 2026 will feature 13 full moons instead of the usual 12. This occurs roughly every two and a half years because the lunar cycle of 29.5 days does not perfectly align with the 365-day solar calendar. As a result, the month of May will host two full moons: the first on May 1 and a second on May 31, which is known as a Blue Moon.
A Weekend of Celestial Highlights
The year’s first major event arrives this Saturday, January 3, with the rise of the Wolf Moon. This will be the fourth consecutive Supermoon, following those in October, November, and December. A Supermoon appears slightly larger and brighter than average because the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. The Wolf Moon will rise at 5:13 p.m. on Saturday and set at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is also expected to peak on Saturday, January 3. While the Quadrantids are famous for producing large, colorful fireballs, skywatchers are advised that the light from the concurrent full Supermoon may make it difficult to see many of the fainter meteors. For the best chance of a sighting, experts suggest looking toward the northeast after dusk in a dark location away from city lights.
Comets and Conjunctions
On the morning of January 8, onlookers can search for Comet 24P/Schaumasse. Visible in the southern sky before sunrise, the comet is best viewed with binoculars, though history suggests it can be unpredictable. During its 1952 pass, the comet brightened so dramatically that scientists briefly thought it had disintegrated…