Moon Phase Calendar

About Moon Phase Calendar

This free online moon phase calendar helps you track the lunar cycle throughout the year. View accurate moon phases for any month or see the entire year at a glance. Perfect for astronomy enthusiasts, photographers, gardeners, and anyone interested in lunar cycles.

What are the 8 moon phases?

The 8 moon phases are: New Moon (🌑) - Moon is between Earth and Sun, dark side faces us. Waxing Crescent (🌒) - Small sliver visible, growing. First Quarter (🌓) - Half moon visible, still growing. Waxing Gibbous (🌔) - More than half visible, growing. Full Moon (🌕) - Entire face illuminated. Waning Gibbous (🌖) - More than half visible, shrinking. Last Quarter (🌗) - Half moon visible, shrinking. Waning Crescent (🌘) - Small sliver visible, shrinking. The complete cycle takes about 29.5 days (synodic month).

How accurate is this moon phase calculator?

This calculator uses astronomical algorithms based on Julian date calculations to determine moon phases. It calculates the moon's age (days since new moon) and illumination percentage with high accuracy. The algorithm accounts for the 29.53 day lunar cycle and provides reliable results for dates between 1900-2100.

What are major moon phases?

The 4 major (primary) moon phases are: New Moon - 0% illumination, moon between Earth & Sun. First Quarter - 50% illumination, waxing. Full Moon - 100% illumination, opposite side from Sun. Last Quarter - 50% illumination, waning. These phases are highlighted in the calendar and are important for activities like fishing, gardening, and photography.

Why does the hemisphere matter?

The moon's appearance is different depending on your hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the moon appears to wax and wane from right to left. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's reversed - left to right. The crescent shapes point in opposite directions. This tool adjusts the moon emoji orientation based on your selected hemisphere for accurate representation.

What is moon illumination percentage?

Moon illumination is the percentage of the moon's visible surface that is lit by the sun as seen from Earth. 0% = New Moon (completely dark). 50% = Quarter Moon (half illuminated). 100% = Full Moon (completely bright). The percentage helps you understand exactly how much of the moon is visible on any given night.

When is the next full moon?

Use this calendar to find upcoming full moons! Generate a calendar for the current year and look for the 🌕 emoji or "Full Moon" label. Full moons occur approximately every 29.5 days. Each full moon has traditional names (Harvest Moon, Hunter's Moon, etc.) based on the month.

How can I use this for photography?

Moon phase calendars are essential for photographers: Full Moon (🌕) - Best for moon photography, bright moonlit landscapes. New Moon (🌑) - Ideal for astrophotography, Milky Way shots (darkest skies). Crescent Phases - Beautiful thin moon shots, visible near sunset/sunrise. Quarter Phases - Great detail visible in craters. Plan your shoots in advance by checking the calendar and illumination percentages.

Does the moon affect gardening?

Many gardeners use lunar cycles for planting: Waxing Moon (🌒🌓🌔) - Plant above-ground crops as moon grows. Full Moon (🌕) - Peak growth energy, good for transplanting. Waning Moon (🌖🌗🌘) - Plant root crops, prune, harvest. New Moon (🌑) - Rest period, good for weeding. While scientific evidence is mixed, lunar gardening has ancient traditions. This calendar helps you track phases for your gardening schedule.

What causes moon phases?

Moon phases are caused by the moon's orbit around Earth and the Sun's light. As the moon orbits, we see different portions illuminated: The moon doesn't produce light - it reflects sunlight. The moon completes one orbit around Earth every 27.3 days (sidereal month). The phase cycle (new moon to new moon) takes 29.5 days (synodic month). The difference is because Earth also moves around the Sun. Only one side of the moon is illuminated at a time - the side facing the Sun.

Can I print or download this calendar?

Yes! After generating your moon phase calendar, you can: Print - Click the Print button to print directly from your browser. Download PDF - Save as PDF for offline viewing or printing later. The calendar is optimized for printing with clean layouts and clear phase information. Perfect for wall calendars, planners, or quick reference.

What are the color schemes for?

Color schemes let you customize the calendar's appearance: Night Sky - Dark blue/purple, classic lunar theme. Twilight Purple - Mystical purple tones. Aurora Green - Teal/green, northern lights inspired. Stellar Blue - Bright blue, celestial theme. Classic Gray - Professional grayscale. Choose your favorite to match your style or printing needs!

How do I view a specific month?

To view a specific month: Select the year. Choose the month from the dropdown (or "All Months" for yearly view). Click Generate Calendar. The calendar will show detailed moon phases for each day of that month, including emoji, phase names, and illumination percentages.