Tonight's Moon: Waxing Crescent
13% illuminated · day 4 of the lunar cycle
Tonight the Moon is a Waxing Crescent, about 13% illuminated. The next full moon is Wednesday 29 July, and the next new moon — the best window for stargazing and satellite spotting — is Thursday 13 August. Dates are UTC and accurate to a few hours.
Full moon calendar 2026
| Date (UTC) | Traditional name |
|---|---|
| Saturday 3 January | 🌕 Wolf Moon |
| Monday 2 February | 🌕 Snow Moon |
| Tuesday 3 March | 🌕 Worm Moon |
| Thursday 2 April | 🌕 Pink Moon |
| Friday 1 May | 🌕 Flower Moon |
| Sunday 31 May | 🌕 Flower Moon |
| Tuesday 30 June | 🌕 Strawberry Moon |
| Wednesday 29 July | 🌕 Buck Moon |
| Friday 28 August | 🌕 Sturgeon Moon |
| Saturday 26 September | 🌕 Corn Moon |
| Monday 26 October | 🌕 Hunter's Moon |
| Tuesday 24 November | 🌕 Beaver Moon |
| Thursday 24 December | 🌕 Cold Moon |
Frequently asked questions
What phase is the Moon in tonight?
Tonight the Moon is a Waxing Crescent, about 13% illuminated — 3.5 days into its 29.5-day cycle. The next full moon is Wednesday 29 July; the next new moon is Thursday 13 August.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is Wednesday 29 July (UTC date — the exact instant can fall a few hours either side depending on your timezone).
Why does the Moon's phase matter for stargazing?
A bright Moon washes out faint objects: satellites, the Milky Way and the aurora are all easier to see in the days around new moon. Cosmik's pass predictions pair best with a dark, moonless sky.
Does the full moon have names?
Traditional names come from North American folklore: the Wolf Moon (January), Harvest Moon (the full moon nearest the autumn equinox), and so on. They describe the season, not any change in the Moon itself.
Keep looking up
Dark, moonless nights are prime time: check when the ISS passes over your city, tonight's aurora odds, the August 12, 2026 total solar eclipse, or watch everything in orbit live in 3D.