New Moon
At new moon the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so the sunlit face points away from us and the night sky stays at its darkest.
Next New Moon
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How this phase works
The Moon cycles through its phases in about 29.5 days. New moon is the starting line: the Moon shares the sky with the Sun, rises and sets with it, and reflects almost no light toward Earth.
What you see in the sky
You will not see a bright disk. A very thin crescent may appear within a day or two as the Moon pulls away from the Sun. Stars, the Milky Way, and faint galaxies stand out when the sky is clear.
Clouds and visibility
Clouds are the main limit for stargazing at new moon. Even a thin layer can hide faint objects. A totally clear night at new moon is ideal for deep-sky viewing and meteor watching.
Moonrise and moonset
The Moon and Sun travel together across the sky. There is no separate moonrise to watch at the exact instant of new moon. Within a few nights a crescent returns low in the west after sunset.
Viewing tips
Look for the first waxing crescent in the western sky after sunset. Use red torch light to protect night vision. Parks and rural areas away from streetlights help even without a telescope.
Photography tips
Milky Way and star-field photos need a clear sky, a steady tripod, and long exposures at new moon. Earthshine on a young crescent can make a striking wide-angle shot with twilight colors.
Folklore and traditional names
Many calendars mark new moon as a fresh monthly cycle. Some traditions tie planting or fasting to this phase. It is not a supermoon or blue moon; those labels belong to full moon geometry.
Tides and other effects
Spring tides are strongest near new and full moon when Sun, Earth, and Moon line up. At new moon the combined pull can raise high tides a little more than at quarter phases.
Pick any place on Airpult to see tonight's cloud cover, hourly conditions and moonrise and moonset times.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the next new moon?
The next new moon is listed at the top of this page with the exact instant in your local time. Dates repeat about every 29.5 days through the year.
Can you see the new moon at night?
At the exact new moon the Moon is up in daylight and too dark to see at night. Within one or two nights a thin crescent may appear after sunset.
Why is new moon good for stargazing?
Without moonlight the sky stays darker, so faint stars and the Milky Way are easier to see when clouds stay away.