What is Moon’s Age & Phase today?
Whether you are an astronomer, a stargazer or a photographer planning a night shoot, you can use the data above to track the lunar cycle and follow the moon’s position across the sky.
Understanding today’s moon
Moon Phase
The moon phase tells you where the moon sits in its 29.5-day synodic cycle, from new moon through waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.
Moon Sign
The moon sign shows which zodiac sign the moon occupies right now. The moon moves through all 12 signs roughly every 27.3 days, spending about 2.5 days in each.
Illumination
Illumination measures how much of the moon’s visible surface reflects sunlight toward Earth. At new moon it is 0%. At full moon it reaches 100%.
Moon Age
Moon age counts the days elapsed since the last new moon. The lunar cycle runs 29.5 days from new moon to new moon.
Constellation
The constellation shows which background star pattern the moon currently passes in front of, based on its position in the sky. The moon moves through the constellations of the ecliptic over its monthly orbit.
Moon Angle
The moon angle (also called the angular diameter or subtended angle) tells you how large the moon appears from Earth. A higher angle means the moon is closer and looks bigger.
Moon Distance
Moon distance measures how far the moon is from Earth at this moment. This varies because the moon follows an elliptical orbit. At perigee (closest approach) it is about 356,500 km away.
Sun Angle & Sun Distance
The sun angle shows the sun’s current position in the sky relative to the horizon. It determines daylight hours and solar elevation at your location.
Earth’s distance from the sun changes throughout the year as Earth follows its own elliptical orbit.
Lunar Cycle
The moon completes one orbit around Earth every 27.3 days. This is called the sidereal month. But because Earth also moves around the sun, the moon needs about 29.5 days to return to the same phase as seen from Earth. This is the synodic month, and it drives the lunar calendar.
The eight main moon phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent each mark a distinct illumination range and position in the sky.
New moon occurs when the moon sits between Earth and the sun. The side facing Earth receives no direct sunlight. Illumination: 0%.
Full moon occurs when Earth sits between the moon and the sun. The side facing Earth is fully lit. Illumination: 100%.
Quarter moons (first and last) occur when the moon forms a 90° angle with the Earth-sun line. Illumination: 50%.
Moon Distance and the Elliptical Orbit
The moon does not orbit Earth in a perfect circle. Its path is an ellipse, which means its distance from Earth changes constantly.
At perigee, the closest point in its orbit the moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than at its farthest point. When a full moon coincides with perigee, it is commonly called a supermoon.
At apogee, the farthest point the moon appears smaller. If a total solar eclipse occurs when the moon is near apogee, the moon cannot fully cover the sun, producing an annular (ring) solar eclipse.
The moon angle value on this page reflects this distance change directly: a larger moon angle means the moon is closer.
Why Track the Moon Phase?
Tracking the current moon phase is valuable for a wide variety of activities:
- Astrophotography & Stargazing: A highly illuminated moon washes out faint stars and meteor showers. Knowing the moon age today helps you plan for dark, moonless nights.
- Fishing and Tides: The moon distance and phase directly impact ocean tides. Anglers rely on lunar calendars to predict the best fishing times based on solunar theory.
- Gardening and Agriculture: Many farmers plant and harvest by the phases of the moon and the current moon sign, a practice known as lunar gardening.
Frequently Asked Questions❓
How do you calculate moon age?
Moon age is calculated by measuring the time elapsed since the precise moment of the last New Moon. It is measured in days, hours, and minutes, peaking at around 29.5 days before resetting to zero.
What does moon illumination mean?
Moon illumination is the fraction of the moon’s surface that is illuminated by the sun, as seen from Earth. It ranges from 0% (New Moon) to 100% (Full Moon).
How does the moon distance affect us?
When the moon distance is at its closest to Earth (perigee), it appears larger and brighter, often called a Supermoon. This proximity also causes stronger, higher “spring tides” in our oceans.