In geophysical terms, the Moon is a planetary-mass object or satellite planet. Its mass is 1.2% that of the Earth, and its diameter is 3,474 km (2,159 mi), roughly one-quarter of Earth's (about as wide as the contiguous United States). The Moon makes Earth more livable, sets the rhythm of ocean tides, and keeps a record of our solar system's history.

Understanding the Context

Explore NASA lunar science here. Use our Moon Phase Calendar to find dates and times of the full Moon, new Moon, and every phase in between. Beyond the phases of the Moon, you will also see daily Moon illumination percentages and the Moon's age. Track the moon phase today with our interactive moon phase calculator.

Key Insights

Get details on the current moon phase and the next full moon date. Track the moon live and explore a beautiful 3D sky with constellations, planets, and visibility layers. PWA. Find My Moon β€” Real-time Moon Phase & 3D Sky | findmymoon.app Find the Moon’s illumination, distance, and latitude for any time on any date. The Moon has four primary and four intermediate lunar phases during a lunar month.

Final Thoughts

Here's all you need to know about each phase of the lunar cycle. Learn how Earth's moon formed, how its orbit affects Earth's tides, why solar and lunar eclipses happen and the history of lunar exploration.