Moon Phase Calendar
Browse any month's moon phases day by day, click a date for its exact phase, illumination and moon age — and see the next twelve full and new moons with times.
October 2026
Next 12 full & new moons
- Full MoonMonday, 26 October 202604:44 UTC
- New MoonMonday, 9 November 202607:10 UTC
- Full MoonTuesday, 24 November 202615:19 UTC
- New MoonWednesday, 9 December 202600:42 UTC
- Full MoonThursday, 24 December 202601:38 UTC
- New MoonThursday, 7 January 202720:06 UTC
- Full MoonFriday, 22 January 202712:14 UTC
- New MoonSaturday, 6 February 202715:48 UTC
- Full MoonSaturday, 20 February 202723:18 UTC
- New MoonMonday, 8 March 202709:31 UTC
- Full MoonMonday, 22 March 202710:49 UTC
- New MoonTuesday, 6 April 202723:57 UTC
Event times from a truncated lunar theory, refined to about ±1 hour. Phases repeat every 29.53 days (a synodic month).
Formula: Illumination = (1 − cos(elongation)) / 2, where elongation is the Moon–Sun ecliptic-longitude difference. Event times are found by scanning for elongation crossings of 0° (new) and 180° (full).
How to use this tool
Flip through months with the arrows.
Click any day for its phase name, illumination and moon age.
Check the list of the next twelve full and new moons.
What people use this tool for
When is the next full moon? Check the event list.
Picking a dark-sky weekend (new moon) for stargazing
How it's calculated
Each day's illumination comes from the Moon–Sun ecliptic-longitude elongation: illumination = (1 − cos(elongation)) / 2, via a truncated lunar theory and NOAA solar longitude. Full and new moons are found by scanning for elongation crossings of 180° and 0°, refined by bisection to about ±1 hour.
Related tools and resources
Frequently asked questions
How long is a moon phase cycle?
29.53 days (a synodic month) — the time from one new moon to the next.
What are the eight phases?
New, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent.
Why is the full moon not exactly monthly on the calendar?
Calendar months (28–31 days) don't match the 29.53-day cycle, so full moons drift through the month and occasionally double up.
What is a blue moon?
The second full moon in one calendar month — a calendrical quirk, not an astronomical event.
What is moon age?
Days elapsed since the last new moon, from 0 (new) to about 29.5.
How accurate are the event times?
Refined to about ±1 hour — plenty for planning, not for eclipse prediction.
Why does the moon look different in each hemisphere?
The phase is identical worldwide, but the lit side appears mirrored between northern and southern skies.
Does a full moon really affect sleep or tides?
Tides: yes, spring tides peak near full and new moons. Sleep: studies are inconclusive.