In fact, the Moon is always half lit, we just don’t see it that way. Which ever of the Moon phases we’re seeing, the opposite phase is happening on the far side of the Moon. And while we only ever see oneterminator(the name given to the dividing line between the light and dark...
Lunar calendar: next Full Moon and New Moon phase New Moon Moon phase: primary Moonrise: aroundsunrise|Moonset: aroundsunset Illumination: 0% (approx) Position in space: the Moon is between the Sun and Earth If the Moon’s path crosses the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun (theecl...
The phenomenon of a Full Moon arises when our planet, Earth, is precisely sandwiched between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment ensures the entire side of the Moon that faces us gleams under sunlight. Thanks to the Moon’s orbit around Earth, the angle of sunlight hitting the lunar surfa...
See what moon phase it is tonight and find out when you can see the rest of the moon phases for 2025. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Jump to: Moon phase tonight Next moon phase Moon phase calendar Phases of the moon Moon phase Q&A with an expert Additional resources ...
This phase is seen during the earlier parts of the day, with the Sun following behind. The crescent dwindles until the cycle begins with the new phase. The orbit of the Moon is tilted 5.1° with respect to the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the sky). As a result, the...
Two to three times a year, the New Moon phase coincides with the Moon reaching the lunar nodes of its orbit. The lunar nodes are the points where the Moon’s orbit crosses theecliptic, which is the Sun’s path, seen from Earth. Then, the New Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun...
Learn about the lunar cycle, as well as the origins of the many names given to each month's full moon.
As the Moon changes shape each night (and day!), these various shapes are known as thephases of the Moonormoon phases. Moon phases depend on the orientation between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. This lesson explains the cause of the moon phases and the names of the phases during the lunar...
When is the next full moon? The next full moon will be onWednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.It will officially reach its full moon phase at8:53 a.m. EDT (1353 GMT) but local moonrise times vary depending on location.The moon will still appear full the night before and after its peak to the...
The near side of the Moon as seen from Earth. What causes the Moon Phases? As mentioned above, the moon goes through a cycle of phases each month as it orbits Earth and each phase is dependent on the moon’s position in relation to the Sun. ...