MoonojiThe current moonphase as an emoji
Change the date to see the moonphase as an emoji, as well as the illumination and zodiac sign.
Did you know?
The moon phase is the same all over the world but looks different in the Southern Hemisphere.
What are the phases of the moon?
The answer to this question and other information about the phases of the moon can be found below.
What is a new moon?
The Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, so the side of the Moon that is illuminated by the Sun is facing away from Earth. This makes the Moon invisible to the naked eye.
The term "new" comes from the idea of a "new beginning" or the start of the lunar cycle. Many ancient cultures associated the new moon with the renewal of time or the beginning of a month.
What is a waxing cresent moon?
A small, curved sliver of the Moon becomes visible after the new moon. The illuminated portion of the Moon is increasing (waxing).
"Waxing" means growing or increasing, and "crescent" comes from the Latin word crescere, meaning "to grow". The name describes the shape and increasing light of the Moon.
What is a first quarter moon?
About one-quarter of the way through the Moon's orbit, half of its illuminated side is visible from Earth. The Moon appears as a half-circle.
The name "first quarter" reflects the Moon's position in its cycle, as it is one-quarter of the way through its orbit around Earth.
What is a waxing gibbous moon?
More than half of the Moon is illuminated, but it is not yet fully visible. The illuminated portion continues to grow (waxing).
"Waxing" means increasing, and "gibbous" comes from the Latin word gibbus, meaning "humped" or "bulging". The name refers to the swollen, almost full appearance of the Moon.
What is a full moon?
The entire face of the Moon visible from Earth is illuminated because the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon.
"Full" signifies that the Moon is fully illuminated. Historically, full moons were important for marking time, harvesting, and festivals, so the term reflects its completeness and prominence in the night sky.
What is a waning gibbous moon?
After the full moon, the illuminated portion begins to decrease (waning). More than half of the Moon is still visible.
"Waning" means shrinking or decreasing, and "gibbous," as before, means "humped." The name describes the diminishing but still swollen appearance of the Moon.
What is a last quarter moon?
Three-quarters of the way through the Moon’s orbit, half of its illuminated side is visible again, but on the opposite side compared to the first quarter.
"Last quarter" indicates that the Moon is in the final quarter of its cycle. "Third quarter" is an alternative name reflecting that it is three-quarters of the way through its orbit.
What is a waning cresent moon?
A thin crescent of the Moon remains visible as it approaches the end of its cycle and the next new moon.
"Waning" continues to signify decreasing illumination, and "crescent," as before, refers to the thin, curved shape. The name highlights the fading light and crescent shape of the Moon.