What is the moon phase tonight?
The moon is in the waning crescent phase and is 24 days old in its lunar cycle on January 13, 2026. It is 24% illuminated.
Moon phases in order
The moon takes about 27.32 days to orbit Earth relative to the background stars—this period is known as the sidereal month.
However, the moon takes about 29.53 days to orbit Earth relative to the sun, a period called the synodic month. The moon requires the extra 2.2 days because Earth is also moving in its orbit around the sun.
That’s why the moon takes about 29.53 days to travel from one new moon to the next new moon. This is called a lunar cycle.
In a lunar cycle, the moon goes through the following phases in order: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
Waning crescent moon in January 2026
Duration: The duration of the waning crescent moon will be from January 11 to 17, 2026.
Phase type: Intermediate, as it occurs between the two primary phases, the third quarter moon (half-moon) and the new moon.
Moon phase: The eighth or last phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: After midnight (between midnight and sunrise) | Moonset: Afternoon (between noon and sunset)
When to see: The waning crescent moon is visible in the eastern sky before sunrise.
Moon illumination: Decreases from 50% to 0%.
Orientation: The left side of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the right side of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read more: Waning crescent moon: All you need to know
New moon in January 2026
Moment: The moment of the new moon will fall on January 18, 2026, at 19:52 UTC (2:52 p.m. EST).
Phase type: Primary, as it occurs at a specific moment in time.
Moon phase: The first phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Around sunrise | Moonset: Around sunset
When to see: The new moon is not visible in the sky as the side of the moon that faces Earth gets no sunlight.
Moon illumination: 0%
Position in space: The moon passes between the sun and Earth in its orbit.
Read more: New moon: All you need to know
Waxing crescent moon in January 2026
Duration: The duration of the waxing crescent moon will be from January 19 to 25, 2026.
Phase type: Intermediate, as it occurs between the two primary phases, the new moon and the first quarter moon (half-moon).
Moon phase: The second phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Morning (between sunrise and noon) | Moonset: Evening (between sunset and midnight)
When to see: The waxing crescent moon is visible in the western sky after sunset.
Moon illumination: Increases from 0% to 50%.
Orientation: The right side of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the left side of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read more: Waxing crescent moon: All you need to know
First quarter moon in January 2026
Moment: The moment of the first quarter moon will fall on January 26, 2026, at 04:47 UTC (11:47 p.m. EST on January 25).
Phase type: Primary, as it occurs at a specific moment in time.
Moon phase: The third phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Around noon | Moonset: Around midnight
When to see: The first quarter moon is best visible around sunset when it reaches its highest point in the sky.
Moon illumination: 50%
Orientation: The right half of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the left half of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Position in space: The moon passes a quarter of the way in its orbit around Earth.
Read more: First quarter moon: All you need to know
Waxing gibbous moon in January 2026
Duration: The duration of the waxing gibbous moon will be from January 27 to 31, 2026.
Phase type: Intermediate, as it occurs between the two primary phases, the first quarter moon (half-moon) and the full moon.
Moon phase: The fourth phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Afternoon (between noon and sunset) | Moonset: After midnight (between midnight and sunrise)
When to see: The waxing gibbous moon is best visible in the evening when it reaches its highest point in the sky.
Moon illumination: Increases from 50% to 100%.
Orientation: The right side of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the left side of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read more: Waxing gibbous moon: All you need to know
Full moon in February 2026
Moment: The moment of the full moon will fall on February 1, 2026, at 22:09 UTC (5:09 p.m. EST).
Phase type: Primary, as it occurs at a specific moment in time.
Moon phase: The fifth phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Around sunset | Moonset: Around sunrise
When to see: The full moon is best visible around midnight when it reaches its highest point in the sky.
Moon illumination: 100%
Position in space: The sun and moon are on opposite sides of Earth.
Read more: Full moon: All you need to know
Waning gibbous moon in February 2026
Duration: The duration of the waning gibbous moon will be from February 2 to 8, 2026.
Phase type: Intermediate, as it occurs between the two primary phases, the full moon and the third quarter moon (half-moon).
Moon phase: The sixth phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Evening (between sunset and midnight) | Moonset: Morning (between sunrise and noon)
When to see: The waning gibbous moon is best visible after midnight when it reaches its highest point in the sky.
Moon illumination: Decreases from 100% to 50%.
Orientation: The left side of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the right side of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Read more: Waning gibbous moon: All you need to know
Third quarter moon in February 2026
Moment: The moment of the third quarter moon will fall on February 9, 2026, at 12:43 UTC (7:43 a.m. EST).
Phase type: Primary, as it occurs at a specific moment in time.
Moon phase: The seventh phase of the lunar cycle.
Moonrise: Around midnight | Moonset: Around noon
When to see: The third quarter moon is best visible around sunrise when it reaches its highest point in the sky.
Moon illumination: 50%
Orientation: The left half of the moon is visible in the Northern Hemisphere, and the right half of the moon is visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
Position in space: The moon passes three quarters of the way in its orbit around Earth.
Read more: Third quarter moon: All you need to know
Moon phases for 2026
According to NASA’s SKYCAL, here is the moon phase calendar for 2026. Dates and times are given in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
| New Moon | First Quarter | Full Moon | Third Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | January 3, 10:03 | January 10, 15:48 |
| January 18, 19:52 | January 26, 04:47 | February 1, 22:09 | February 9, 12:43 |
| February 17, 12:01 | February 24, 12:28 | March 3, 11:38 | March 11, 09:39 |
| March 19, 01:23 | March 25, 19:18 | April 2, 02:12 | April 10, 04:52 |
| April 17, 11:52 | April 24, 02:32 | May 1, 17:23 | May 9, 21:10 |
| May 16, 20:01 | May 23, 11:11 | May 31, 08:45 | June 8, 10:00 |
| June 15, 02:54 | June 21, 21:55 | June 29, 23:57 | July 7, 19:29 |
| July 14, 09:43 | July 21, 11:06 | July 29, 14:36 | August 6, 02:21 |
| August 12, 17:37 | August 20, 02:46 | August 28, 04:18 | September 4, 07:51 |
| September 11, 03:27 | September 18, 20:44 | September 26, 16:49 | October 3, 13:25 |
| October 10, 15:50 | October 18, 16:13 | October 26, 04:12 | November 1, 20:28 |
| November 9, 07:02 | November 17, 11:48 | November 24, 14:53 | December 1, 06:09 |
| December 9, 00:52 | December 17, 05:43 | December 24, 01:28 | December 30, 18:59 |
References
Moon Phase and Libration, 2026
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