Observation of the phases of the moon. Observe the changes in the phases of the moon as it moves around the Earth in real time. On a new moon, the Moon is dark, then comes the first crescent, the first quarter, and the growing Gibbous. During a Full Moon, the visible face of the Moon is fully illuminated, then comes the decreasing Gibbous phase where the Moon will lose its luminosity until the New Moon.

New Moon

Illumination : 0.00000 %

View from the Sun

5 h/s

1/1/2000, 12:00:00 PM

Observation of the moon's phases in real time

The Moon changes appearance throughout its cycle of about 29.5 days. Depending on the relative position of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon, the illuminated portion visible from our planet evolves gradually. This page allows you to view the current lunar phase, its illumination rate and its real-time evolution.

The illumination of the Moon

The Moon does not emit its own light. Its surface is illuminated by the Sun, from Earth, we observe only part of this luminous area.
As it moves around our planet, the angle between the Sun, the Earth and the Moon varies, thus changing the illuminated fraction of the Moon.
The percentage of illumination indicates the proportion of the visible lunar surface that receives sunlight. A value close to 0% corresponds to a New Moon, while a value close to 100% corresponds to a Full Moon.

The phases of the moon

Rotation and revolution

A lunar cycle is usually divided into 8 phases.

  • the New Moon : 2% à 0% puis à 2% d'illumination
  • the Waxing Crescent : 3% à 34% d'illumination
  • the First Quarter : 35% à 65% d'illumination
  • the Waxing Gibbous : 66% à 96% d'illumination
  • the Full Moon : 97% à 100% d'illumination
  • the Waning Gibbous : 96% à 66% d'illumination
  • the Last Quarter : 65% à 35% d'illumination
  • the Waning Cresent : 34% à 3% d'illumination