Moon Phases

The moon's phases are caused by changes in the amount of illumination from the moon that is visible from the Earth's surface as the moon orbits our planet each month. There are eight distinct phases every month, four of them occurring roughly a week apart. They are: the New Moon; Waxng Crescent; First Quarter (or half-full; Waxing Gibbous; Full Moon; Waning Gibbous; Last Quarter (half-full on other side); Waning Crescent. You can read definitions for these moon phases here. When the moon is full and at its closest point to the Earth in it's orbit, it is known as a "Supermoon." Lunar eclipses occur during full moons, when the moon passes through all or part of Earth's shadow. During New Moons, the moon can cover part or all of the sun's disk, creating a solar eclipse. Learn more about the moon's phases here. 

Related Topics: The Moon

Latest Updates

Google doodle of a sylized rabbit with the Google logo for Lunar Year 2023.

Google celebrates Lunar New Year 2023 with Year of the Rabbit doodle

By Tariq Malik published

A new lunar new year is hopping off to a great start and Google is marking the occasion with a series of Google doodles.

Full moon rises over the US Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia, United States on January 5, 2023.

1st full moon of 2023 was a wonderful Wolf Moon worldwide (photos)

By Brett Tingley published

The first full moon of 2023, January's Wolf Moon, led to some gorgeous imagery around the world.

Sky map of the moon near Saturn on Dec. 26, 2022 in the southwestern sky.

See Saturn near the moon in a late Christmas gift in the night sky tonight (Dec. 26)

By Robert Lea published

The moon will visit Saturn for the last time of 2022 on Monday (Dec. 26) in a parting Christmas gift in a twilight conjunction that will disappear from view before night sets in.

This NASA sky map shows the locations of the moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars after sunset on Dec. 25, 2022.

See the moon and 4 planets align as Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus offer a rare night sky treat this week!

By Tariq Malik published

The Christmas moon lines up with four bright planets in a celestial holiday treat this week.

The last quarter moon as seen over the Moroccan capital Rabat on Aug. 6, 2012, shows the lunar face in stunning detail with lunar craters clearly visible.

See the final last quarter moon of 2022 rise tonight (Dec. 16)

By Robert Lea published

The moon will be exactly half illuminated during 2022's final last quarter moon on Friday (Dec. 16)

Graphic from Starry Night software showing the half illuminated moon surface in the night sky.

See the half-lit last quarter moon tonight (Nov. 16)

By Robert Lea published

The half-illuminated moon will be visible in the night sky on Wednesday as it continues to darken before the new moon on Nov. 23.

An illustration of the night sky on Jan. 21 showing the new moon.

January new moon 2023: Venus and Saturn join the moon

By Jesse Emspak last updated

Reference The new moon of January will be at 3:53 p.m. EST on Saturday (Jan. 21), and will soon be followed by a conjunction of Venus and Saturn.

The moon phases of January 2023 with dates.

What is the moon phase today? Lunar phases 2023

By Tariq Malik last updated

Reference See the phase of the moon tonight and the rest of the moon phases for 2023, and when you can see them.

Phases of a lunar eclipse showing the moon turn progressively red.

Lunar eclipses 2023: When, where & how to see them

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference There are two lunar eclipses in 2023. Our guide tells you how you can see them and when the next lunar eclipse will occur.

blood red moon

Amazing photos of the last Blood Moon lunar eclipse of 2022 (gallery)

By Tariq Malik published

The moon passed through Earth's shadow in the final total lunar eclipse of 2022 on Nov. 8, 2022. See spectacular photos here!

curve of moon seen above the planet earth

The moon's crown peeks above Earth a day before total lunar eclipse (satellite photo)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

A wisp of light reflecting off the moon got caught in Earth's atmosphere, making our neighbor look like a white crown in orbit.

Blood red colored moon

See the eclipsed setting moon and rising sun simultaneously during a rare 'selenelion' on Nov. 8

By Joe Rao last updated

See the sun rise while a total lunar eclipse sets on Tuesday (Nov. 8), in a phenomenon known as a 'selenelion'.

The Flower Moon lunar eclipse over NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans on May 15, 2022.

How to watch the Blood Moon lunar eclipse for free online, the last until 2025

By Tariq Malik last updated

You can see a Blood Moon total lunar eclipse on Nov. 8, the last until 2025. Here's how to watch it online for free.

This NASA graphic shows the stages of the total lunar eclipse of Nov. 8, 2022 in Eastern time.

What time is the Blood Moon total lunar eclipse on Nov. 8?

By Tariq Malik last updated

The last total lunar eclipse until 2025 will turn the moon a blood-red hue on Tuesday, Nov. 8, but exactly when you should look up depends on where you are.

person standing looking at the blood moon above

What is a blood moon?

By Elizabeth Howell, Scott Dutfield last updated

Reference It may look spooky, but a blood moon is just a trick of the light. Here we explain this phenomenon and tell you how and where to see the next one.

A photo of a nearly full moon. The image was taken one day prior to the supermoon, or a moon that appears larger due to being the closest to Earth in its orbit.

Full moon calendar 2023: When to see the next full moon

By Kimberly Hickok last updated

Reference The full moon happens about once a month. Find out when.

A time lapse of a total lunar eclipse showing the moon at various phases of an eclipse.

Total lunar eclipse: How to prepare for next month's eclipse of the moon

By Joe Rao last updated

You can get a very good idea about where the moon will be in the sky during the eclipse by looking for it on Tuesday morning, Oct. 11.

The full Hunter's Moon rises behind the skyline of Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Tower as the sun sets in New York City on October 9, 2022, as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.

Stunning Full Hunter's Moon of October 2022 mesmerizes skywatchers all over the world (photos)

By Tereza Pultarova published

The Hunter's full moon rose above some of the world's greatest landmarks this weekend appearing larger and more orange than usual.

Silhouette of an airplane flying across the surface of the full moon.

October full moon 2022 guide: The Hunters' Moon rises this weekend

By Jesse Emspak published

October's full moon — the Hunter's Moon — becomes full on Oct. 9, the same day that Mercury reaches its highest altitude in the predawn sky.

Graphic ilustration from Starry night software showing the moon and saturn close together in the night sky with a green circle surrounding them to demonstrate the observable field of view through a pair of binoculars.

See the moon and Saturn close together in the night sky tonight (Oct. 5)

By Stefanie Waldek published

Across the United States, the moon and Saturn will appear to be close neighbors for a good portion of the night.