Moon Phase Calculator

- May 09, 2025
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Calculate moon phases for any date. See the current phase of the moon, upcoming lunar events, and explore how the moon appears from your location.

Current Moon Phase

Current Phase:
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Illumination:
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Moon Age:
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Next Full Moon:
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Next New Moon:
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Moon Phase Lookup

Lunar Calendar

Moon Phase Facts

New Moon
The Moon is positioned between the Earth and Sun, with the dark side facing us. Not visible to the naked eye.
Waxing Crescent
The Moon appears as a crescent shape, growing larger each day. Visible in the western sky after sunset.
First Quarter
Half of the Moon is illuminated. Rises around noon and sets around midnight.
Waxing Gibbous
More than half illuminated and growing. Visible in the afternoon and most of the night.
Full Moon
The entire face of the Moon is illuminated. Rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.
Waning Gibbous
More than half illuminated but decreasing. Rises after sunset and sets after sunrise.
Last Quarter
Half of the Moon is illuminated. Rises around midnight and sets around noon.
Waning Crescent
The Moon appears as a crescent, shrinking each day. Visible in the eastern sky before sunrise.

About Moon Phases

The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits the Earth. These changes, known as lunar phases, are caused by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, which determine how much of the Moon's sunlit side is visible from Earth.

The Lunar Cycle

A complete lunar cycle, from one new moon to the next, takes approximately 29.5 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes). This is known as a synodic month. During this time, the Moon transitions through eight distinct phases:

  • New Moon (0% illuminated) - The Moon is between the Earth and Sun, with its dark side facing us.
  • Waxing Crescent (1-49% illuminated) - A small, growing crescent becomes visible.
  • First Quarter (50% illuminated) - Half of the Moon appears illuminated.
  • Waxing Gibbous (51-99% illuminated) - The illuminated portion continues to grow.
  • Full Moon (100% illuminated) - The entire face of the Moon is visible.
  • Waning Gibbous (99-51% illuminated) - The illuminated portion begins to decrease.
  • Last Quarter (50% illuminated) - Half of the Moon appears illuminated, but the opposite side from the First Quarter.
  • Waning Crescent (49-1% illuminated) - A shrinking crescent remains visible before returning to New Moon.
Interesting Moon Facts
  • The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and is the fifth largest moon in the solar system.
  • The same side of the Moon always faces the Earth due to a phenomenon called tidal locking.
  • Full Moons have various traditional names throughout the year, such as "Harvest Moon" and "Wolf Moon."
  • Lunar and solar eclipses occur when the Earth, Moon, and Sun align in specific ways.
  • The Moon's gravity is responsible for Earth's tides.

Understanding the Moon Phase Calculator

The Moon Phase Calculator is a handy tool that helps you find out what phase the Moon is in on any given date. Whether you're curious about the current Moon phase or want to know the lunar phase for a date in the future, this calculator can provide you with detailed information. You'll discover the Moon's appearance, its illumination percentage, and even its age in days. Knowing the Moon's phases can be fascinating and has significance in various cultures and activities like gardening and fishing.

Current Moon Phase Insights

With the Moon Phase Calculator, you can easily see the current phase of the Moon. This section shows not only how the Moon looks right now but also provides additional details such as:

  • Illumination percentage of the Moon
  • The age of the Moon in days
  • Dates for the next full and new moons

This information can be particularly useful for stargazers, photographers, and anyone interested in lunar events.

Looking Up Past and Future Moon Phases

The Moon Phase Lookup feature allows you to select any date and find out what phase the Moon was in or will be in. This is perfect for those who want to plan events or simply satisfy their curiosity about what the Moon looked like on a specific day. You can easily input the desired date and receive results that include the phase name, illumination level, Moon age, and its position within the lunar cycle.

Creating a Lunar Calendar

If you’re interested in seeing an entire month’s worth of lunar phases, the Lunar Calendar feature is for you. You can choose a month and year, and the calculator will generate a calendar. This calendar displays important lunar events throughout the month, helping you keep track of when to expect full moons, new moons, and everything in between. It's an excellent way to plan activities according to the Moon's schedule.

Fun Facts About Moon Phases

Understanding the different phases of the Moon can be enjoyable and enlightening. Here’s a quick rundown of the main phases you can learn about:

  • New Moon: The Moon is not visible since it is between the Earth and Sun.
  • Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated and bright in the night sky.
  • First and Last Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated, either waxing or waning.

These phases occur regularly and add beauty to our night skies.

How Moon Phases Influence Nature

The Moon's phases have an impact beyond just aesthetics; they can affect many natural phenomena. For example, some animals' behaviours change during different moon phases. Fishermen often refer to lunar cycles when deciding the best times to fish. Additionally, many gardeners consider moon phases when planting, believing that certain phases can influence plant growth.

Exploring the Lunar Cycle

Each month, the Moon goes through a complete cycle, transitioning through eight distinct phases. This cycle lasts about 29.5 days, affecting how we view the Moon from Earth. Understanding this cycle can enhance your appreciation of the night sky and help you keep track of lunar events throughout the month.

Using the Moon Phase Calculator

The Moon Phase Calculator is user-friendly and designed to provide information quickly. Whether you’re checking the current phase, looking up past or future phases, or exploring the lunar calendar, this calculator makes it easy. With just a few clicks, you can get all the lunar information you need to satisfy your curiosity or plan your activities accordingly.