New York · America/New_York
Moon Phase for October 5, 2042
Next major phases
More upcoming dates
Today's moon phase explained
This page summarizes the moon's current appearance for your selected city—illumination percentage, moon age in days, phase angle, zodiac sign, and rise/set times. Illumination measures how much of the near side is lit by the sun; moon age counts days since the previous new moon on the roughly 29.53-day synodic cycle that governs how phases repeat.
The synodic month is slightly longer than the 27.3-day sidereal orbit because Earth moves along its own path around the sun. That difference is why moon phases drift about one day earlier every couple of years and why a calendar month sometimes contains two full moons.
Moonrise and moonset
Rise and set times depend on latitude, longitude, and time zone. At high latitudes the moon can stay above or below the horizon all day on some dates—a condition called circumpolar motion. Change the city picker to match your location; the choice is remembered for 30 days in your browser.
Near new moon, the thin crescent may set shortly after sunset and be hard to spot in bright twilight. Near full moon, rise occurs close to sunset and the disk stays visible most of the night. Compare with sunrise and sunset when planning photography golden hour alongside moonlight.
Phase angle and illumination
Phase angle is the sun–Earth–moon elongation in degrees. Near 0° the moon is new; near 180° it is full. Illumination rises through waxing phases and falls through waning phases. Named labels—crescent, quarter, gibbous, full—group those numbers into the eight familiar skywatching categories shown in the diagram above.
Upcoming major phases
The table lists the next new, first quarter, full, and last quarter moons from today. For a full month grid with daily illumination bars, open the moon phases hub. To see every full moon date in 2042, browse all full moons in 2042.
When to look up
Thin crescents are easiest just after sunset when the sky is still dim but the horizon is dark enough to reveal the lit edge. Full moons rise near sunset and set near sunrise, making them the simplest phase for casual viewing. Check moonrise before planning telescope sessions—estimates on this page use standard astronomical formulas aligned with the monthly lunar calendar elsewhere on the site.
Stargazing groups scheduling dark-sky nights should shortlist dates near new moon with moon age under two days, then confirm cloud cover separately. Retail teams planning full-moon promotions should verify the instant in their time zone rather than copying generic UTC tables from social media.
Frequently asked questions
What does today's moon phase page show?
For your selected city, the page summarizes illumination percentage, moon age in days, phase angle, zodiac sign, and moonrise and moonset times. Illumination measures how much of the near side is lit by the sun. Moon age counts days since the previous new moon on the roughly 29.53-day synodic cycle.
Why does moon age differ from calendar date?
Moon age resets at each new moon, not on the first of the month. Day 14 or 15 is usually near full moon, but exact maximum illumination can fall between calendar days depending on time zone. The synodic month is slightly longer than the sidereal orbit because Earth moves along its own path around the sun.
How do I pick the right city?
Change the city picker to match your latitude and longitude so moonrise and moonset estimates fit your horizon. The choice is remembered for 30 days in your browser. At high latitudes the moon can stay above or below the horizon all day on some dates—a condition called circumpolar motion.
What is phase angle?
Phase angle is the sun–Earth–moon elongation in degrees. Near 0° the moon is new; near 180° it is full. Illumination rises through waxing phases and falls through waning phases. Named labels group those numbers into the eight familiar skywatching categories shown in the diagram on the page.
When is the best time to see a thin crescent?
Thin crescents are easiest just after sunset when the sky is still dim but the horizon is dark enough to reveal the lit edge. Near new moon the crescent may set shortly after sunset and be hard to spot in bright twilight. Full moons rise close to sunset and stay visible most of the night.
Where do I see the full month grid?
Open the moon phases hub for a calendar grid with daily illumination bars and phase icons across the month. This today page focuses on the current sky and lists upcoming major phase instants. Browse the full moon year page when you need every full moon date for event planning or observatory nights.