Moon Phase Calculator
Current moon phase and illumination for any date, plus the next new moon and full moon — computed astronomically.
876 views
Moon Phases for Photographers
The phase follows the Moon's elongation from the Sun: 0° is new, 90° first quarter, 180° full. Illumination = (1 − cos elongation) ÷ 2. Pick any date to see the phase, illuminated percentage and the next new and full moons — the two dates that matter most: new moon for Milky Way and astrophotography (dark skies), full moon for moonrise shots over landmarks and moonlit landscapes.
Tip: the full moon looks largest and most photogenic right at moonrise, when foreground compression with a long lens is possible — shoot the day before or after the exact full moon to keep some texture on its surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I shoot the Milky Way?
Within about 5 days of a new moon, when moonlight will not wash out the sky — combine this tool with our 500/NPF rule calculator for exposure limits.
Why does the full moon look better a day early?
At exact full phase, sunlight hits the Moon head-on and erases shadow detail. A day before or after, slight side-lighting keeps craters visible while the disk still looks full.
How accurate are these phase times?
The Sun and Moon positions are computed with Meeus algorithms (Moon accurate to ~0.1°), which pins phase dates to within a couple of hours — plenty for planning.
Similar Tools
Report a Problem
Moon Phase Calculator