Is Tonight Good for Moon Photography?
Tonight the Moon is a First Quarter, 31% lit — a good night for photographing the Moon.
Earthshine and a crisp terminator give a delicate crescent.
Your local moonrise, moonset & best time
See tonight's moonrise, moonset and the time the Moon rides highest for your location — the sharpest, haze-free window to shoot.
Where to point the camera tonight
The Moon's direction and height across the night — line up a landmark, or catch it low for a large, golden disk. Press play to sweep from now to dawn.
rises 11:08 AM · highest 6:07 PM · sets 11:31 PM
Best upcoming nights for surface detail
The quarter Moons throw the longest shadows along the terminator — the nights craters and mountains stand out most. The next few:
| Date (UTC) | Phase |
|---|---|
| Tue, Jul 21, 2026 | First Quarter |
| Wed, Aug 5, 2026 | Last Quarter |
| Thu, Aug 20, 2026 | First Quarter |
| Fri, Sep 4, 2026 | Last Quarter |
| Fri, Sep 18, 2026 | First Quarter |
| Sat, Oct 3, 2026 | Last Quarter |
For a bright full-disk frame instead, the next full moon is July 29, the Buck Moon.
How each phase photographs
Crescent. A thin crescent low at dusk makes a striking wide shot, often with earthshine — the faint glow on the unlit part, sunlight bounced off Earth — filling in the dark disk.
Quarter & gibbous. The terminator runs across the face, and the low sun angle there rakes shadows out of every crater rim. This is the sharpest surface detail of the month.
Full. Brilliant and round, but the Sun is directly behind us, so shadows vanish and the face looks flat. Shoot it for drama — large and golden low on the horizon — or a night or two before or after full, when relief returns.
Frequently Asked
What is the best moon phase for photography?
The quarter moons and the gibbous phases are best for surface detail: the terminator — the line between lit and dark — casts long shadows that make craters and mountains stand out in relief. A full moon is brilliant but flatly lit, so it shows little texture; it is best for a dramatic full-disk frame rising on the horizon.
Is tonight good for moon photography?
Tonight the Moon is a First Quarter at 31% illumination, which makes it a good night for photographing the Moon. Earthshine and a crisp terminator give a delicate crescent.
What time should I photograph the Moon?
Shoot when the Moon is highest in the sky, where it sits clearest of the thick, hazy air near the horizon. For a wide shot with a landscape, catch it low just after moonrise or before moonset, during the golden and blue hours. Use the location button above for your local times.
Do I need special equipment?
A telephoto lens (200mm or longer) and a tripod are enough for a sharp lunar disk. Expose for the bright Moon, not the dark sky — it is far brighter than it looks, so a fast shutter and low ISO prevent a blown-out white blob.