Moon Phases 2026
Moon Phases help you plan night-sky observations: meteors and “shooting stars”, the Milky Way, noctilucent clouds (NLC) and the aurora. Below you will find the 2026 lunar calendar (local time: Warsaw / Poland) together with a LIVE countdown to the next phase.
Night-sky observation calendars and tools
Weather and cloud cover (Windy)
Before observing, compare cloud cover and wind, especially if you are heading into the field. If you are watching for aurora, also check the aurora radar and the live forecast.
LIVE: next Moon phase and countdown
Moon phase calendar 2026 – dates and times (local PL time)
The table contains the four main phases: new moon, first quarter, full moon and third quarter. In practice this is enough to plan dark-sky nights around new moon or Moon photography around the quarters. If you are chasing meteors or the Milky Way, compare the dates with moonless windows.
| Month 2026 | Full Moon | Third quarter | New Moon | First quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3.01, 11:02 (Wolf Moon) | 10.01, 16:48 | 18.01, 20:52 | 26.01, 05:47 |
| February | 1.02, 23:09 (Snow Moon) | 9.02, 13:43 | 17.02, 13:01 | 24.02, 13:27 |
| March | 3.03, 12:37 (Worm Moon) | 11.03, 10:38 | 19.03, 02:23 | 25.03, 20:17 |
| April | 2.04, 04:11 (Pink Moon) | 10.04, 06:51 | 17.04, 13:51 | 24.04, 04:31 |
| May | 1.05, 19:23 (Flower Moon) · 31.05, 10:45 (Blue Moon – second full Moon in the month) | 9.05, 23:10 | 16.05, 22:01 (Super New Moon) | 23.05, 13:10 |
| June | 30.06, 01:56 (Strawberry Moon) | 8.06, 12:00 | 15.06, 04:54 (Super New Moon) | 21.06, 23:55 |
| July | 29.07, 16:35 (Buck Moon) | 7.07, 21:29 | 14.07, 11:43 | 21.07, 13:05 |
| August | 28.08, 06:18 (Sturgeon Moon) | 6.08, 04:21 | 12.08, 19:36 | 20.08, 04:46 |
| September | 26.09, 18:49 (Corn Moon) | 4.09, 09:51 | 11.09, 05:27 | 18.09, 22:43 |
| October | 26.10, 05:11 (Hunter’s Moon) | 3.10, 15:25 | 10.10, 17:50 | 18.10, 18:12 |
| November | 24.11, 15:53 (Beaver Moon) | 1.11, 21:28 | 9.11, 08:02 | 17.11, 12:47 |
| December | 24.12, 02:28 (Cold Moon) | 1.12, 07:08 · 30.12, 19:59 | 9.12, 01:51 | 17.12, 06:42 |
How to use Moon phases when planning observations
Darkest nights: around new moon
If you are planning meteors or subtle phenomena such as NLC, aim for the nights around new moon (about ±2–4 nights). That is when the sky is darkest and the background is least affected by moonlight.
Best Moon photos: the quarters
Around first and third quarter, the terminator – the boundary between light and shadow – emphasizes craters and mountains. These are the best conditions for telescope or telephoto images.
Full Moon: when it makes sense
A full Moon makes meteor observing harder, but it works very well for bright night landscapes with snow, clouds or mountains – especially when you want more natural light and shorter exposures.
Eclipses in 2026 – what is worth knowing from a Polish perspective
In 2026 there are two lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses, but visibility from Poland is limited. For planning purposes, treat this as a short summary and keep the full details on the dedicated eclipses page.
- 2–3 March 2026 – total lunar eclipse: not visible from Poland.
- 27–28 August 2026 – partial lunar eclipse: in Warsaw the maximum is below the horizon.
- 12 August 2026 – total solar eclipse: only partial from Poland (totality over Iceland and beyond).
FAQ: Moon phases
When is the best time to watch shooting stars – at new moon or full moon?
For meteors the best time is around new moon, because the sky is darkest then. Full moon usually makes faint meteors much harder to see.
Do Moon phases affect the visibility of noctilucent clouds (NLC)?
Yes. NLC can still be visible under a bright Moon, but their finest structures are easier to see against a darker sky. If the display is weak, moonlight can reduce contrast.
Why does the table show only 4 phases and not 8?
For practical observation planning the four main phases – new moon, first quarter, full moon and third quarter – are the most useful reference points. The intermediate crescents and gibbous phases can be estimated between them.
Are the listed times for Poland?
Yes. The table uses local time for Warsaw / Poland, including daylight saving time where applicable.
Will a total lunar eclipse be visible from Poland in 2026?
No. The total lunar eclipse of 2–3 March 2026 is not visible from Poland. At the end of August 2026 there is a partial lunar eclipse, but in Warsaw the maximum is below the horizon, so observation is very difficult.
Read also / continue
Supermoon · Astrophotography · Live aurora forecast
Astronomical timing (Warsaw, local time): Timeanddate.