Moon phases and lunar cycle
This phase cycle lasts29.6334 days: 10 October 2026 at 15:50 UTC to 9 November 2026 at 07:02 UTC.
Five lunar periods
| Period | Mean days | Measured against |
|---|---|---|
| Synodic | 29.53059 | Sun: one new Moon to the next |
| Sidereal | 27.32166 | Distant stars |
| Tropical | 27.32158 | March equinox |
| Anomalistic | 27.55455 | Perigee |
| Draconic | 27.21222 | Orbital node |
The lengths differ because Earth moves around the Sun and the Moon’s perigee, nodes and equinox reference also move. The calculated cycle above uses two actual conjunctions.
New Moon
The sunlit half faces away from Earth, leaving the near side dark. Nextprincipal phase: 9 November 2026 at 07:02 UTC.
It rises and sets close to the Sun and is normally lost in daylight.
Waxing Crescent
A slim lit curve grows broader on successive evenings. Next45° phase centre: 13 November 2026 at 08:34 UTC.
Low in the western sky after sunset, setting later each evening.
First Quarter
Half of the visible disc is lit at the exact quarter. Nextprincipal phase: 18 October 2026 at 16:13 UTC.
Rises around midday, stands high near sunset and sets around midnight.
Waxing Gibbous
More than half is illuminated and the bright area is still growing. Next45° phase centre: 22 October 2026 at 15:20 UTC.
Visible from afternoon through much of the evening and after midnight.
Full Moon
The near side is almost completely illuminated, brightest at the exact opposition. Nextprincipal phase: 26 October 2026 at 04:12 UTC.
Rises near sunset, crosses the sky overnight and sets near sunrise.
Waning Gibbous
More than half remains lit, but the bright fraction shrinks each day. Next45° phase centre: 29 October 2026 at 11:24 UTC.
Rises during the evening and remains prominent in the morning sky.
Last Quarter
Half of the disc is lit at the exact 270-degree quarter while waning. Nextprincipal phase: 1 November 2026 at 20:28 UTC.
Rises around midnight, is high near dawn and remains visible into morning.
Waning Crescent
A narrowing crescent approaches the dark new-Moon alignment. Next45° phase centre: 5 November 2026 at 11:03 UTC.
Low in the eastern sky before sunrise and harder to see each morning.
Explore eight lunar shapes, exact upcoming phase centres and five orbital periods, with a variable phase-cycle calculator.