Current lunar phase
Calculating Moon
Calculating the Moon for your observing point.
Moonlight impact: LoadingTonight
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Moon tonight
See the current phase, illumination, rise and set times, moonlight impact, and the next important lunar phases for your location.
Your observing point
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Next important Moon phases
New Moon
The Moon leaves the night at its darkest—ideal for faint galaxies, nebulae, and meteor watching.
View phase detailsFirst Quarter Moon
The evening Moon is half illuminated, with long shadows along the day-night boundary revealing craters and mountains.
View phase detailsFull Moon
The lunar disc is fully illuminated, making surface rays easy to see but washing out faint stars.
View phase detailsLast Quarter Moon
The pre-dawn Moon is half illuminated, leaving the evening darker and showing strong relief along the lunar terminator.
View phase detailsNew Moon
The Moon leaves the night at its darkest—ideal for faint galaxies, nebulae, and meteor watching.
View phase detailsFirst Quarter Moon
The evening Moon is half illuminated, with long shadows along the day-night boundary revealing craters and mountains.
View phase detailsWhy the phase matters
A bright Moon hides faint stars, galaxies, and the Milky Way. A new Moon leaves the sky naturally darker and is usually best for deep-sky observing.
Best time to observe it
The crescent and quarter phases reveal the most crater detail along the shadow line. A full Moon is dramatic but its flat lighting hides subtle relief.
What equipment helps
Your eyes are enough for the phase. Binoculars reveal large craters and dark maria; a small telescope adds mountains, crater walls, and fine shadows.