Moon phases guide

The Moon reflects sunlight; the “phase” is the fraction we see from Earth. One full cycle between new moons is the synodic month (~29.53 days on average).

1. 🌑

   New Moon

   Illuminated hemisphere faces the Sun; the disk is nearly invisible from Earth.

2. 🌒

   Waxing Crescent

   A thin crescent grows each night.

3. 🌓

   First Quarter

   Right half lit (northern hemisphere view).

4. 🌔

   Waxing Gibbous

   More than half lit before full moon.

5. 🌕

   Full Moon

   Fully illuminated disk; Earth roughly between Moon and Sun.

6. 🌖

   Waning Gibbous

   Light decreases after full.

7. 🌗

   Last Quarter

   Left half lit (northern hemisphere).

8. 🌘

   Waning Crescent

   Thin crescent before the next new moon.

How we calculate

We place the Moon on the synodic cycle using Julian days and a reference new moon. Good for calendars; sub-minute precision needs professional ephemerides.

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