Lunar Calendar Calculator - Moon Phase, Age & Next Full Moon
Find the exact astronomical moon phase, age and illumination for any date, plus next full moon, perigee distance, and synodic cycle basics.
Historical & Live Astronomical Presets
Observation Target
Lunar Phase Classification
Waning Gibbous🌖
Shrinking illumination rising after twilight.
Age: 17.1 / 29.5 daysCycle: 58.0%
Northern Hemisphere View
Illumination
93.9%
Surface litMoon Age
17.12d
Since new moonEarth Distance
397,684
km to Earth centerNext Full Moon
28d
24/11/2026Upcoming Primary Moon Phases
New Moon 🌑0% Lit
10 Nov 2026
in 13 day(s)First Quarter 🌓50% Lit
17 Nov 2026
Waxing half-moonFull Moon 🌕100% Lit
24 Nov 2026
in 28 day(s)Third Quarter 🌗50% Lit
2 Nov 2026
Waning half-moonSynodic Month Illumination Trajectory (0 – 29.53 Days)
Mathematical illumination curve showing current observation point relative to New and Full moon crests.
Eight Astronomical Lunar Phases Reference
| Phase Designation | Moon Age Range | Illumination Span | Sun-Earth-Moon Angle | Observational Dynamics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Moon | 0.0 – 1.84 days | 0% – 1.5% | 0° – 22.5° | The Moon is directly between Earth and the Sun; its illuminated hemisphere faces away, making it invisible to the naked eye. |
| Waxing Crescent | 1.85 – 5.53 days | 1.5% – 49% | 22.5° – 67.5° | A sliver of the western lunar limb appears illuminated shortly after sunset, growing wider each evening. |
| First Quarter | 5.54 – 9.22 days | 50% | 90° | Half of the visible disk is illuminated (eastern side in the Northern Hemisphere), rising around noon and setting around midnight. |
| Waxing Gibbous | 9.23 – 12.91 days | 51% – 98.5% | 112.5° – 157.5° | More than half of the visible surface is illuminated and expanding toward full lunar coverage. |
| Full Moon | 12.92 – 16.61 days | 99% – 100% | 180° | Earth is situated nearly between the Sun and Moon, fully illuminating the near side throughout the entire night. |
| Waning Gibbous | 16.62 – 20.30 days | 98.5% – 51% | 202.5° – 247.5° | Illumination starts shrinking from the western limb, rising later in the evening after twilight. |
| Third / Last Quarter | 20.31 – 23.99 days | 50% | 270° | The opposite half of the disk is illuminated, rising at midnight and setting at noon. |
| Waning Crescent | 24.00 – 27.68 days | 49% – 1.5% | 292.5° – 337.5° | A thin curved crescent visible only in the eastern pre-dawn sky just before sunrise. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Moon Phases
Astronomical Ephemeris Citations
NASA Moon Observation & Daily Ephemeris Guide
Official NASA scientific resource for high-resolution lunar photography, orbital mechanics, and phase tracking.
US Naval Observatory (USNO) - Astronomical Applications Department
Authoritative United States naval ephemeris computing precise astronomical moon phases and rise/set times.
Royal Astronomical Society - Guide to the Lunar Orbit and Metonic Cycle
Educational monographs on celestial mechanics, the Saros cycle, and lunisolar calendar mathematics.
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Calendar CalculatorsQuick Tips
- 1Consider timezone differences
- 2Account for daylight saving time
- 3Verify date formats (MM/DD/YYYY vs DD/MM/YYYY)
- 4Use 24-hour format to avoid AM/PM confusion