Moon Phases Explained

The Moon goes through 8 distinct phases during its 29.5-day cycle. Each phase changes when the Moon rises and sets, how bright it appears, and even affects Earth's tides.

The Lunar Cycle

Moon phases are caused by the changing angle between the Sun, Earth, and Moon as the Moon orbits our planet. We see different amounts of the Moon's sunlit surface depending on the Moon's position in its orbit.

The complete cycle from one New Moon to the next takes 29.53 days — known as a synodic month or lunation. This is slightly longer than the Moon's orbital period (27.3 days) because Earth is also moving around the Sun, so the Moon needs a little extra time to return to the same Sun-Earth-Moon alignment.

The 8 Phases of the Moon

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New Moon

Phase 1 of 8

The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, with its illuminated side facing away from us. The Moon is invisible or nearly invisible in the sky.

Rise & Set: Rises and sets with the Sun. The Moon is above the horizon during the day.
Visibility: Not visible (except during a solar eclipse)
Tidal Effect: Spring tides (highest high tides, lowest low tides) because the Sun and Moon's gravity align.
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Waxing Crescent

Phase 2 of 8

A sliver of the Moon becomes visible on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere). The illuminated portion grows larger each day.

Rise & Set: Rises after sunrise, sets after sunset. Visible in the western sky after sunset.
Visibility: Visible in the evening, sets by mid-evening
Tidal Effect: Neap tides begin to form as the Moon moves away from Sun alignment.
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First Quarter

Phase 3 of 8

Exactly half of the Moon's visible face is illuminated. This occurs roughly 7 days after the New Moon. The right half is lit in the Northern Hemisphere.

Rise & Set: Rises around noon, sets around midnight.
Visibility: Visible from afternoon through midnight
Tidal Effect: Neap tides (weakest tides) because the Sun and Moon are at right angles to Earth.
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Waxing Gibbous

Phase 4 of 8

More than half the Moon is illuminated, growing toward full. "Gibbous" comes from Latin meaning "humpbacked."

Rise & Set: Rises in the afternoon, sets after midnight. Dominates the evening sky.
Visibility: Visible from late afternoon through the early morning hours
Tidal Effect: Tides strengthen as the Moon approaches full phase.
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Full Moon

Phase 5 of 8

The entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun. The Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun. This is when the Moon is at its brightest.

Rise & Set: Rises at sunset, sets at sunrise. Visible all night long.
Visibility: Visible all night, from dusk to dawn
Tidal Effect: Spring tides again — highest tides of the month. Sun and Moon pull from opposite sides.
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Waning Gibbous

Phase 6 of 8

The Moon's illumination begins to decrease after the Full Moon. The left side begins to darken (in the Northern Hemisphere).

Rise & Set: Rises after sunset, sets after sunrise. Best seen in the late evening and early morning.
Visibility: Visible from late evening through morning
Tidal Effect: Tides begin to weaken from spring tide levels.
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Last Quarter

Phase 7 of 8

Exactly half the Moon is illuminated — the left half in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the mirror image of the First Quarter.

Rise & Set: Rises around midnight, sets around noon.
Visibility: Visible from midnight through the morning hours
Tidal Effect: Neap tides — weakest tides of the cycle.
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Waning Crescent

Phase 8 of 8

A thin sliver of light remains on the left side of the Moon (Northern Hemisphere). The illumination shrinks each day toward the next New Moon.

Rise & Set: Rises in the pre-dawn hours, sets in the afternoon. An early-morning sight.
Visibility: Visible in the pre-dawn sky, just before sunrise
Tidal Effect: Tides begin to strengthen again as the Moon approaches New Moon.

How Moon Phases Affect Moonrise and Moonset

The Moon's phase directly determines when it rises and sets:

  • New Moon rises and sets with the Sun — it's above the horizon during the day
  • First Quarter rises at noon and sets at midnight
  • Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise — visible all night
  • Last Quarter rises at midnight and sets at noon

Between these key phases, the rise and set times shift gradually. Each day, the Moon rises and sets approximately 50 minutes later than the day before.

Use our calculator to find precise moonset times for your location.

Supermoons and Micromoons

Because the Moon's orbit is elliptical, its distance from Earth varies. When a Full Moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach (perigee), it's called a Supermoon. A Supermoon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a Micromoon (Full Moon at apogee).

There are typically 3-4 Supermoons per year. While the size difference is subtle to the naked eye, the brightness difference is noticeable, especially in areas with little light pollution.

What Phase Is the Moon In Right Now?

Our calculator shows today's moon phase, illumination percentage, and exact moonset time for your location.

Check Current Moon Phase