Earth's Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit

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Latest about Moon Phases

A red waning gibbous moon is pictured behind a lighthouse at night against a black sky.

August Moon: Here's what to look for during all 4 major moon phases

By Anthony Wood published

Join us on a guided telescope tour of August's moon, featuring distinct targets for each of the four major lunar phases.

Stargazing
A full moon rises over silhouetted conifers, against a dark sky smeared with blurry wisps of clouds.

August full moon 2025: Full Sturgeon Moon arrives ahead of close planetary pass

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference Our August full moon guide tells you everything you need to know about the Sturgeon Moon, including where and when to see it.

Reference
a bright, gold-colored full moon rises behind crumbling ancient ruins on a hilltop

July full moon 2025: The Buck Moon joins Mars and Saturn

By Jesse Emspak last updated

The July full moon, also known as the Buck Moon, occurs on July 10. It will share the evening sky with Mars and Saturn.

Stargazing
The moon half-lit moon is pictured against a dark sky at its first quarter phase. Dark lunar seas mark the upper portion of the lunar surface and the line dividing the night side from the day side is lined with shadowed craters.

Don't miss the half-lit first quarter moon rise tonight: Here's what to look for

By Anthony Wood published

The first quarter moon is the perfect opportunity to explore shadowed craters lining the terminator.

Stargazing
a reddish-colored moon above a seaside landscape

June full moon 2025: The Strawberry Moon hides red star Antares

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The full moon of June 2025, the Strawberry Moon, will pass in front of the red supergiant star Antares the day before the full moon in an event known as an occultation.

Reference
an illustration of the moon with a smiling, winking face

Lunar Google Doodle celebrates May's third quarter moon with interactive card game

By Samantha Mathewson last updated

Google's latest Doodle celebrates May's half moon with a fun interactive card game.

Entertainment
A full moon is pictured in the night sky with purple flowers framing the upper part of the image.

The 2025 full Flower Moon rises tonight: Here's what to expect

By Anthony Wood published

When and where to catch the 2025 full Flower Moon rise tonight (May 12).

Stargazing
a bright white full moon rises above the ruins of an ancient building

May full moon 2025: The Flower Moon hides the red star Antares

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The Full Flower Moon of 2025 will occur in the eastern U.S. during the evening hours of May 12. Two days later, the just-past-full moon will occult the star Antares.

Reference
Night sky map

New moon of April 2025 sees Venus and Saturn join up in the sky this weekend

By Jesse Emspak published

The new moon occurs April 27, and a day later Venus and Saturn will make a close approach to each other (known as a conjunction) in the predawn sky.

The moon
a large full moon in the evening sky above stacks of flat, rectangular stones

April full moon 2025: The Pink Moon hides one of the brightest stars in the sky

By Jesse Emspak last updated

The full moon of April 2025, called the Pink Moon, will occur during the evening hours of April 12 and will occult the star Spica in the Virgo constellation this month.

Stargazing
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