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.
To connect night-sky observations with a wider northern travel plan, see the North section.
NORTH
North: Iceland, Norway, northern lights and Lofoten
A dedicated OndaTravel section for northern trips: Iceland, Norway, fjords, Lofoten, northern lights, ready-made routes and planning tools.
Moon phases 2026 — in short
The phases of the Moon help you plan night-sky observations, Milky Way photos, meteor hunting and full-moon watching. The darkest nights fall around the new moon, while the full moon works best for observing the Moon itself and bright night landscapes.
Moon phases in July and August 2026
In July 2026, the New Moon falls on 14 July at 11:43, First Quarter on 21 July at 13:05, and Full Moon on 29 July at 16:35. The darkest nights therefore fall around the middle of the month, while toward the end of July the bright Moon will reduce the visibility of fainter meteors.
| Month | New Moon | First Quarter | Full Moon | Last Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 14.07, 11:43 | 21.07, 13:05 | 29.07, 16:35 | 7.07, 21:29 |
| August 2026 | 12.08, 19:36 | 20.08, 04:46 | 28.08, 06:18 | 6.08, 04:21 |
The August New Moon falls on the day of the Perseids peak. This makes the night of 12–13 August look excellent: moonlight should practically not interfere with observing shooting stars.
GUIDE
Perseids 2026: When and Where to Watch the Meteor Shower
Perseids 2026: best night, peak time, where to look, Moon conditions and practical viewing and photography advice for your location.
Moon phase is most useful when you combine it with the specific phenomena of a given month. The September and October calendars show which nights are best for meteors, the Milky Way, planets and aurora, and when moonlight may help or get in the way.
Sky phenomena
Planning your night-sky observations? These monthly guides highlight the most important astronomical events, meteor showers, Moon phases and the best observation windows. Below you’ll find the two most relevant monthly guides for the current period.
SKY PHENOMENA
Monthly guide
Sky events in October 2026: Draconids, Orionids and Saturn
The key sky events of the month, meteor activity, the Moon and practical observation windows.
Read the guide
SKY PHENOMENA
Monthly guide
Sky events in November 2026: Leonids, Taurids and a supermoon
The key sky events of the month, meteor activity, the Moon and practical observation windows.
Read the guideNorthern Lights
Looking for a longer-term Northern Lights outlook? These monthly guides complement the live radar with seasonal conditions, expected aurora activity and practical viewing tips. Below you’ll find the two most relevant monthly forecasts currently available.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Monthly forecast
Northern Lights — October 2026
A monthly Northern Lights outlook with live-radar context and practical viewing guidance.
Read the guide
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Monthly forecast
Northern Lights — November 2026
A monthly Northern Lights outlook with live-radar context and practical viewing guidance.
Read the guideNight-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.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Aurora Forecast Tonight: Live Northern Lights Map
Check tonight's aurora forecast with live Kp, Bz, solar-wind, cloud-cover and NOAA/OVATION signals. Use the map for your location.
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 |
Which Moon lit the night you were born? Type in your birthday on the Moon phase calculator at MySkySoul, our sister project, and see how much of the Moon was shining that night.
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.
GUIDE
Solar and Lunar Eclipses 2027–2028: Dates and Where to Watch
Next eclipses: annular solar eclipse 6 Feb 2027, penumbral lunar eclipse 20/21 Feb 2027, total solar eclipse 2 Aug 2027. Full 2027–2028 calendar with visibility.
- 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
Night-sky photography
Camera and phone settings for the Moon, stars, meteors and the Milky Way.
Open guide
Meteor Shower Calendar 2026
Check meteor-shower peaks, moonlight conditions and observation windows.
Open calendarLive aurora forecast
Check Kp, Bz, solar wind and current aurora conditions before going outside.
Open forecastAstronomical timing (Warsaw, local time): Timeanddate.