moon phases | EarthSky

Animation showing the orbit of the moon around Earth, and - if you imagine yourself on the Earth - the changing phases of the moon.

4 keys to understanding moon phases

As the moon circles Earth, we see different fractions of its lighted face: the changing moon phases. Here are 4 tips for understanding them.

2021 moon phases, with distances from Earth

2021 moon phases in a chart format. Dates closest to new moon provide the darkest skies and the best opportunities for stargazing and meteor-watching.

Moon phases 2021 in text format

Read a list of the phases of the moon for all of 2021.

Video: Moon phases for all of 2013

The video was created with data from from the Clementine moon mission of 1990s, plus measurements from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, orbiting now.

Changing Earth phases, seen from the moon

As seen from the moon, the Earth waxes and wanes - just as the moon does as seen from our world.

Pink flowers in the foreground, and a night sky and full moon in the background.

May 1 full moon is a Flower Moon and micromoon

The 1st May full moon happens on May 1. It'll look full on the nights before and after that, too. The 2nd May full moon - a Blue Moon - will fall on May 30-31.

The half-lit moon with an arrow pointing to a blue spot right on the horizon of the lit portion.

Falcon rocket will hit the moon on August 5

A Falcon 9 rocket will hit the moon on August 5, 2026. How fast will it be going? Will we be able to see it? Answers and more here.

Two full moons side by side. The right one is distinctly smaller.

What is a micromoon? We have 2 coming in May

What is a micromoon? It's a full or new moon near its farthest from Earth for the month. Depending on your definition, 2026 has either 2 or 3 full micromoons.

Close-up of a 1st quarter moon along the terminator with arrows pointing to the X and V regions.

Here’s how to see the Lunar X and V at 1st-quarter moon

Lunar X and Lunar V are optical features on the moon. They are visible through a telescope for several hours around the time of the 1st quarter moon.

Coastline with waves coming in, and sky with moon above shredded clouds in with pink band in the sky in background.

Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week

Watch for the beautiful daytime moon this week, a pale orb floating against a blue sky in the morning hours. Look west! You'll see it!

Sky chart: The full moon near the star Spica, along the steep green ecliptic line.

April full moon is the Pink Moon overnight on April 1

The April 2026 full moon – overnight on April 1-2 – is the Pink Moon and will lie near the star Spica in the constellation Virgo.

Gray, rolling landscape under a black sky, with small buildings, rockets, and astronauts.

Moon base and Mars! NASA makes exciting announcements

Moon base and Mars mission! NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced them as part of a series of new NASA initiatives on March 24, 2026.

Enormous white splash as a turbulent ocean wave hits a gray rock under a cloudy sky.

Expect high tides whenever we have a supermoon

The sun and moon, among other things, affect the height of the tides. Expect higher-than-usual tides for a few days following a supermoon.

Huge pale yellow moon, mostly above the horizon, in light purple sky beyond a dark hill with tall cactuses.

Full moon names of the month and by the season

Lists of common full moon names - both by month and by season - for North America. And a word about full moon names in the Southern Hemisphere.

A thick crescent moon on a black background, mostly gray with darker blotches and many craters.

The moon’s terminator line divides night and day

The moon’s terminator line divides day and night on the moon. As we see it from Earth, it marks the line of lunar sunsets or sunrises. Read more.

Bright meteor streak under a bright gibbous moon and a few stars showing as well.

Meteors in moonlight: 6 tips for watching

Meteors in moonlight: it's not optimal, but it's happening for the Eta Aquariids in 2026! Here are 6 tips for watching this year's shower.

Close-up of the Super Harvest Moon on October 7, 2025.

What is a full moon? All you need to know

The full moon, opposite the sun in its orbit, shows us its sunlit side. The moon appears full a couple of days before and after the exact moment of full moon.

A full round blue-colored moon. A blue sphere with dark blotches on it.

Full Blue Moon on May 30-31, 2026: What’s a Blue Moon?

There's a full Blue Moon overnight on May 30-31, 2026. A Blue Moon is the 2nd of 2 full moons in a calendar month or the 3rd of 4 full moons in a single season.

Composite of seven images of the lunar eclipse from partial to full to partial.

What’s a Blood Moon? All you need to know

By this definition, Blood Moon is a member of a special kind of lunar tetrad : four total lunar eclipses in a row. Now it's used for any total lunar eclipse.

Twilight sky with a thin crescent moon with the unlit portion glowing with earthshine and a white dot for the planet Mercury above it.

Earthshine is a lovely glow on the unlit portion of the moon

Earthshine - the dim glow on the darkened portion of a crescent moon - is light from Earth cast on the night side of the moon. Watch for it around the new moon.

Sign Up for Our Amazing Newsletter!

4 keys to understanding moon phases

2021 moon phases, with distances from Earth

Moon phases 2021 in text format

Video: Moon phases for all of 2013

Changing Earth phases, seen from the moon

May 1 full moon is a Flower Moon and micromoon

Falcon rocket will hit the moon on August 5

What is a micromoon? We have 2 coming in May

Here’s how to see the Lunar X and V at 1st-quarter moon

Watch for the daytime moon after sunrise this week

April full moon is the Pink Moon overnight on April 1

Moon base and Mars! NASA makes exciting announcements

Expect high tides whenever we have a supermoon

Full moon names of the month and by the season

The moon’s terminator line divides night and day

Meteors in moonlight: 6 tips for watching

What is a full moon? All you need to know

Full Blue Moon on May 30-31, 2026: What’s a Blue Moon?

What’s a Blood Moon? All you need to know

Earthshine is a lovely glow on the unlit portion of the moon