Earth's Moon: Formation, Composition and Orbit

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

Latest about Moon Phases

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
a blood-red moon on a black background

March full moon 2025: The Worm Moon wriggles into a total lunar eclipse

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The full moon of March 2024, the Worm Moon, will experience a penumbral lunar eclipse as it passes through the outer part of Earth's shadow.

Reference
a pale rosy orange moon hangs in a hazy blue sky on the left above the blurred silhouette of a long city skyline on the horizon of an agitated sea. on the right, lower than the moon, a seagull glides, wings curved down like an arch.

February full moon 2025: See Mars disappear behind the Snow Moon

By Jesse Emspak last updated

February's Snow Moon peaks on Feb. 12, just three days after occulting Mars. Here's what to expect.

Stargazing
an illustration of the night sky

January new moon 2025: The young moon visits Venus and Saturn

By Jesse Emspak published

The young January moon will pass near Saturn and near Venus as they cluster together in the evening sky.

Stargazing
Image of a full moon with a blue hue for artistic effect. The moon doesn't turn blue during a "Blue Moon".

Blue Moon: what is it and when is the next one?

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference A Blue Moon is a rare occurrence that depends on the timings of full moons during the year. The moon is not blue during a Blue Moon.

Reference
a series of red dots passes behind the moon and reemerges on the other side of it in a timelapse photo

January full moon 2025: The Wolf Moon hides Mars

By Jesse Emspak last updated

The full Wolf Moon of January 2025 occurs on Jan. 13 and will pass in front of Mars during a lunar occultation visible from North America.

Stargazing
Large fully illuminated moon with large craters against a black background.

Full moon names 2025 (and how they came to be)

By Joe Rao last updated

Reference The full moon names for each month, why they're named so and what we can expect from these lunar events.

Reference
Monocular

How to use monoculars for stargazing

By Matt Morris published

Monoculars offer a highly portable option for powerful stargazing wherever you are. Our handy guide will help you use them to spot objects in the night sky.

Skywatching Kit
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives