new moon | EarthSky

New moon map reveals areas of recent tectonic activity

A new moon map and study from the Smithsonian Institution reveals ridges in the dark lunar plains showing evidence for recent tectonic activity on the moon.

The sun, seen as a fat yellow-orange crescent with small dark spots.

Why is there no eclipse every full and new moon?

If the moon orbited Earth on the same plane that Earth circles the sun, we'd have an eclipse at every full and new moon. Here's why we don't.

What is a new moon? It rises and sets with the sun

The new moon generally can't be seen, except during a solar eclipse. The moon crosses the sky with the sun during the day, and its shadow side faces Earth.

Blue planet circled by rings and surrounded with white dots. Labels mark the objects.

New moon discovered orbiting inside distant Uranus’ rings

Astronomers have discovered a new moon orbiting Uranus. The newly found moon - the planet's 29th - is just 6 miles wide.

Bright oval shape among many slanted bright and faint lines, with arrow pointing to tiny faint dot.

New moons! Uranus now has 28 and Neptune 16

New moons for Uranus and Neptune! They're the faintest found so far using Earth-based telescopes. Scientists think they are fragments of larger bodies.

Chart with Earth at center and four phases of the moon shown in orbit around Earth. Closest new moon at left.

On Saturday … Closest new moon in 1,337 years

The new moon of January 21, 2023 will be the closest new moon to Earth in a period of 1,337 years. Read more about the closest new moon here.

Perfect circle around Earth, overlapped by slightly eccentric dotted line indicating orbit of moon.

Year’s closest new moon October 16

October 16 brings us the closest new moon of 2020. Some will call it a supermoon. You won't see this extra-close new moon because it'll travel across the daytime sky with the sun. But you might see its gravitational effect on the tides along ocean shorelines in the days following new moon.

Saturn is our solar system’s new moon king

Astronomers have found 20 new moons orbiting Saturn, bringing the planet's total number of moons to 82. That surpasses Jupiter, which has 79.

Help name 5 new moons of Jupiter

You can help astronomers select names for 5 newly discovered moons of the planet Jupiter. Look here for contest details and how to enter.

Astronomers discover new moons for Jupiter

Most planets have moons, and Jupiter already had the most. Now, with these new ones, Jupiter has a whopping 79 moons altogether ... so far.

June new moon is a supermoon

The June 13 new moon is the 1st in a series of 3 new moon supermoons. The other 2 will fall on July 13 and August 11, 2018.

Closest new moon of 2016 on April 7

April 7 moon turns new six hours before perigee - closest point to Earth. We won't see it, but it counts as a supermoon and will affect ocean tides.

Is Saturn making a new moon?

A small icy object within the rings of Saturn might be a brand new moon in the process of being born.

No new moon for February 2014

In nearly all months, the moon goes through all four major phases - new, first quarter, full, last quarter. February 2014 doesn't have a new moon.

Astronomers ask public to help name Pluto’s new moons

The discoverers of Pluto's two tiniest moons are inviting the public to help select names for the new moons.

Animation of many small moons circling Saturn, with colorful orbits displayed.

More moons for Jupiter and Saturn! New totals here

The Minor Planet Center announced 4 more moons for Jupiter and 11 for Saturn on March 16, 2026. Their new grand totals? Saturn has 285 and Jupiter has 101.

Sky chart: Sirius close to the horizon with the moon, Jupiter, Orion and a few bright stars nearby.

New Year’s Star Sirius, the moon and Jupiter ring in 2026

Entertain your friends on New Year's Eve by showing them the New Year's Star, the soon-to-be full supermoon and Jupiter. Sirius is highest at midnight.

Mottled world in yellows to reddish colors with a volcanic plume on one edge.

New possible volcanic exomoon orbiting searing hot exoplanet

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope said they've found evidence of a possible volcanic exomoon orbiting the hot Jupiter exoplanet WASP-39b.

Diagram of inner solar system with the orbits of Earth and 2025 PN7.

Meet Earth’s newest quasi-moon, recently discovered 2025 PN7

Earth has a newly discovered quasi-moon! The little space rock 2025 PN7 shares an orbit with Earth and appears to orbit our planet.

Animation showing different colored lines for the orbits of the 128 new Saturn moons.

128 new Saturn moons just announced. Incredible!

Astronomers have discovered a whopping 128 new Saturn moons. This brings Saturn's moon total to 274, by far the most of any planet in our solar system.

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New moon map reveals areas of recent tectonic activity

Why is there no eclipse every full and new moon?

What is a new moon? It rises and sets with the sun

New moon discovered orbiting inside distant Uranus’ rings

New moons! Uranus now has 28 and Neptune 16

On Saturday … Closest new moon in 1,337 years

Year’s closest new moon October 16

Saturn is our solar system’s new moon king

Help name 5 new moons of Jupiter

Astronomers discover new moons for Jupiter

June new moon is a supermoon

Closest new moon of 2016 on April 7

Is Saturn making a new moon?

No new moon for February 2014

Astronomers ask public to help name Pluto’s new moons

More moons for Jupiter and Saturn! New totals here

New Year’s Star Sirius, the moon and Jupiter ring in 2026

New possible volcanic exomoon orbiting searing hot exoplanet

Meet Earth’s newest quasi-moon, recently discovered 2025 PN7

128 new Saturn moons just announced. Incredible!