2026 started cloudy, but at least I was able to get the first Full Moon of the year logged!
The first full Moon of 2026 arrives in early January and carries the traditional name **Wolf Moon**, a title that echoes from deep winter folklore rather than lupine behavior. The name likely arose in northern climates where long, cold nights amplified the sound of wolves howling near human settlements, a reminder that winter was at its most austere. Astronomically, this full Moon sits low in the sky for northern observers, tracing a shallow arc that bathes the landscape in a pale, icy light for many hours. Its low altitude often enhances atmospheric effects, giving the Moon a warmer hue near the horizon and making craters and maria appear especially crisp through binoculars or a small telescope. The Wolf Moon marks not just the start of a new calendar year, but a quiet reset in the lunar cycle—an ancient rhythm continuing, indifferent to calendars, clocks, and howling myths alike.
500 stacked images at 1/250 exposure. Then edited in Photoshop to pop the Mineral Colours of our lovely satellite:
To endless exploration, starry nights, and a little bit of cosmic nerdiness!
TTG
