Earth's Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit

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Latest about Moon Phases

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
night sky map

The new moon of March 2025 creates a partial solar eclipse this weekend

By Jesse Emspak published

This new moon of March 2025 will create a partial solar eclipse visible in the northeastern part of North America, much of Europe and Russia.

The moon
lunar eclipses are made up of several stages here they are arranged in a question mark shape.

What are lunar eclipses and how do they occur?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Lunar eclipses occur when Earth blocks the sun and casts a shadow over the surface of the moon. We explore the different types of lunar eclipses here.

Reference
Moonset over the ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset, UK.

How to photograph a supermoon

By Josh Dury last updated

Use this guide to prepare you for the supermoons in 2025, and learn how to photograph them at their closest approach.

Astrophotography
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