Phase 2 of 8 🌒
Waxing Crescent Moon
The young Moon: a growing sliver, under half lit, hanging low in the western sky in the hour or two after sunset.
The next Waxing Crescent nights begin on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Tonight the Moon is a First Quarter, 31% lit.
What a waxing crescent is
The waxing crescent is the first visible phase after new moon. “Waxing” means growing — each night the sliver fattens a little as the Moon pulls away from the Sun in the sky — and “crescent” means less than half of the disk is lit. The phase spans roughly days 1–6 of the lunar cycle, from the first hairline sliver to just under half lit.
This is the phase for one of the sky’s subtlest sights: earthshine. Sunlight reflected off Earth faintly lights the dark part of the crescent, so you can often see the whole ghostly disk cradled inside the bright sliver — “the old Moon in the new Moon’s arms”. It is easiest to spot in the first few days, when the crescent is thin and the sky just dark.
When & where to see it
Look west shortly after sunset. A waxing crescent trails the Sun by a few hours, so it is already partway up the western sky as twilight fades — and it sets in the early evening. It is strictly an evening Moon: by midnight it is long gone.
Because it sits near the Sun’s line, the crescent is also visible in daylight if you know where to look: a pale sliver east of the Sun in the afternoon sky. Each successive night it appears higher, thicker and later-setting, until it reaches first quarter.
Exact rise and set times depend on where you stand — check moonrise & moonset for your location.
Upcoming waxing crescent nights
| First night | Last night |
|---|---|
| Sun, July 19, 2026 | Jul 19 |
| Fri, August 14, 2026 | Aug 17 |
| Sun, September 13, 2026 | Sep 16 |
| Mon, October 12, 2026 | Oct 16 |
| Wed, November 11, 2026 | Nov 14 |
| Fri, December 11, 2026 | Dec 14 |
Computed from lunar geometry (UTC). For any specific date, try the moon phase calculator.
Waxing Crescent meaning
Symbolically the waxing crescent is the phase of intention and momentum — the seed planted at new moon showing its first growth. It is read as a time for building, committing and taking the first concrete steps. More on moon phase meanings →
Frequently Asked
What does a waxing crescent moon mean?
Astronomically it means the Moon is 1–6 days old and growing, with less than half the disk lit. Symbolically it is associated with intention, growth and new momentum after the new moon.
What time is the waxing crescent moon visible?
In the western sky during and just after evening twilight. It sets a few hours after the Sun, so catch it early — it is gone well before midnight.
Why can I see the dark part of a crescent moon?
That glow is earthshine — sunlight reflected off Earth faintly illuminating the Moon’s night side. It is most visible on thin crescents in a dark sky.
How long does the waxing crescent phase last?
About 6 days, from just after new moon until first quarter, when the disk reaches half lit and keeps growing.