A supermoon, like this one from 2025, will be visible to New Zealanders on Saturday night if skies are clear. Photo / Supplied
A supermoon, like this one from 2025, will be visible to New Zealanders on Saturday night if skies are clear. Photo / Supplied
By RNZ
Stargazers can expect to see the first supermoon of the new year on Saturday night if skies are clear.
Dr Ryan Ridden from the University of Canterbury said a supermoon is when a full moon is at its closest point to Earth.
He said it will appear tobe 10% bigger and 30% brighter than a normal full moon.
Ridden said anyone with a view out to the northeast should be able to see the supermoon, and moonrise is roughly 9.40pm. He said it will be visible throughout the night.
Delphi Murdoch, 5, observes the supermoon over Taupō Bay, January 3 2026. Photo / Vicki Murdoch
“As with all astronomical objects it’s usually better to be in the middle of nowhere to limit light pollution, but the moon is pretty bright so you’ll be able to see it from cities.”
Ridden said the moon is “hanging out near Jupiter” at the moment, so when you are looking at the supermoon, the bright star just to the south will be Jupiter.
The other two supermoons this year will happen in November and December.
