Space Weather TrackerNOAA SWPC · Live

Moon Phase

What's tonight's moon phase?

Live moon phase and illumination, calculated for right now — plus how much moonlight might wash out tonight's aurora or stargazing.

🌘

Waning Crescent

8% illuminated · 26.8 days old

IlluminationPercentage of the moon's visible disc lit by the sun right now.

8%
QUIET

Next Full MoonA full moon brightens the sky significantly, making faint aurora and stars harder to see.

Jul 29in 17d
QUIET

Next New MoonThe darkest skies of the month — best conditions for viewing faint aurora and the Milky Way.

Jul 14in 2d
QUIET

Next 14 days

Sun
🌘
8%
Mon
🌘
3%
Tue
🌑
1%
Wed
🌑
0%
Thu
🌒
2%
Fri
🌒
6%
Sat
🌒
11%
Sun
🌒
19%
Mon
🌒
28%
Tue
🌒
38%
Wed
🌓
48%
Thu
🌓
59%
Fri
🌔
69%
Sat
🌔
79%

How moon phase affects aurora viewing

Moonlight scatters through the atmosphere the same way sunlight does, just far dimmer — but a bright, near-full moon can still wash out faint aurora, especially a weak G1 display. Around the new moon, skies are at their darkest, so even a modest aurora glow becomes easier to see. Check the aurora forecast alongside tonight's moon phase for the best read on visibility.