Moon Phases — May 2026
Full Moon on May 1 at 17:27 UTC, New Moon on May 16 at 21:49 UTC. Each cell shows that day's phase and illumination.
May 2026 · phase for each day (UTC)
Best Nights in May
✦Darkest skies
May 14 – May 18
Around the New Moon (May 16), little moonlight — the best nights for the Milky Way, meteors and faint deep-sky objects.
◐Sharpest Moon detail
May 9 · May 23
At the quarter Moons the terminator throws long shadows across crater rims — the best nights to photograph lunar surface detail.
○Brightest nights
Apr 30 – May 2
Around the Flower Moon (May 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.