The different shapes of the Moon that we see at different times of the month are called the Moon's phases. The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Why does this happen? The shape of the Moon isn't changing throughout the month.
However, our view of the Moon does change. The final primary phase in the lunar cycle is the third quarter moon, which the moon reaches at a specific time each month. At this time, the "other half" of the moon will be illuminated, compared to the first quarter phase.
The Moon has four primary and four intermediate lunar phases during a lunar month. Here's all you need to know about each phase of the lunar cycle. The Moon goes through a cycle of eight distinct phases as it orbits Earth, each offering a unique view of its illuminated surface.
Find past and future moon phases with this moon phases calendar/moon schedule. You can set the month and year for hundreds of years. Today's Moon is 73% of Full and 10 days old.
What's the Moon's phase today? With our 2025 Moon Phase Calendar, you'll find the current Moon phase for tonight-plus, all the phases of the Moon for each day of the month. The moon goes through a cycle of phases each month which changes our view of the moon based on its position in relation to the Earth and the Sun. The moon phase shows the illuminated portion of the moon that is being lit by the Sun.
This site lets you view the current Moon Phase with the next few days phases at a glance, or you can view an entire calendar month and select all of the Moon's phases for any given day, month and year from 1950 through to 2050 on the Moon Calendar page. In addition, if you set your location using our handy tool to the left, you can view any day's Moonrise and Moonset times. Over the coming.
Curious about the Moon phases for this month and next? Here are upcoming dates and times for each phase through the end of October 2025. Please visit our Zodiac Calendar to see the Moon's zodiac sign, which changes every 2. Phases of the moon, explained Learn about the eight moon phases, as well as the origins of the many names given to each month's full moon.