Moon Phases — February 2026
Full Moon on February 1 at 17:33 UTC, New Moon on February 17 at 13:18 UTC. Each cell shows that day's phase and illumination.
February 2026 · phase for each day (UTC)
Best Nights in February
✦Darkest skies
Feb 15 – Feb 19
Around the New Moon (Feb 17), little moonlight — the best nights for the Milky Way, meteors and faint deep-sky objects.
◐Sharpest Moon detail
Feb 9 · Feb 24
At the quarter Moons the terminator throws long shadows across crater rims — the best nights to photograph lunar surface detail.
○Brightest nights
Jan 31 – Feb 2
Around the Snow Moon (Feb 1), strong natural moonlight for night walks — but it washes out fainter stars.
Moonrise & moonset where you are
See tonight's moonrise, moonset and best viewing time for your location — then plan the rest of the month from the grid above.