Santo Domingo. – On Saturday night, the
first supermoon of the year 2026 occurred, an astronomical phenomenon that allowed the Moon to be observed up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than an average full moon, according to the
meteorological analyst Jean Suriel.
Suriel explained that this event occurs when the full moon coincides with the perigee, the closest point of its orbit to Earth, which causes the natural satellite to be appreciated with greater size and luminosity in the night sky.
As an added value to the spectacle, the specialist indicated that in the
hours following the moonrise it was possible to observe the planet Jupiter located to the right of the lunar disk, offering an uncommon astronomical image of great visual appeal.
The analyst recalled that during this 2026 a total of three supermoons will be recorded. The next ones are scheduled for November 24th and December 24th.
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Jean Suriel also explained that this year will be special from an astronomical point of view, since
13 full moons will occur, when the usual is 12. The additional moon will occur in May, a month in which there will be two full moons (the 1st and 31st). The second is known as the “Blue Moon”.
Furthermore, it was pointed out that
on May 1st, the opposite phenomenon to the supermoon will be recorded, known as a micro-moon, when the full Moon will be at its farthest point from Earth (apogee), appearing slightly smaller.
Finally, Suriel urged the population to mark next March 3, the date on which a lunar eclipse will occur, turning the Moon a reddish color, and which can be partially observed in the Dominican Republic.
