When Is the Next New Moon?
The next new moon is Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 14:35 UTC — in 24 days.
The next eight new moons & dark-sky windows
| New Moon (UTC) | Time | Best stargazing nights |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Aug 12, 2026 | 14:35 | Aug 9 – Aug 15 |
| Fri, Sep 11, 2026 | 01:27 | Sep 8 – Sep 14 |
| Sat, Oct 10, 2026 | 15:26 | Oct 7 – Oct 13 |
| Mon, Nov 9, 2026 | 07:06 | Nov 6 – Nov 12 |
| Tue, Dec 8, 2026 | 23:57 | Dec 5 – Dec 11 |
| Thu, Jan 7, 2027 | 19:03 | Jan 4 – Jan 10 |
| Sat, Feb 6, 2027 | 16:31 | Feb 3 – Feb 9 |
| Mon, Mar 8, 2027 | 13:08 | Mar 5 – Mar 11 |
Times are UTC. Dark-sky windows span the ~3 nights either side of each new moon, when moonlight is faintest.
A new moon is the start of the lunar cycle, when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun and its near side falls dark. It is invisible to us, but it is also when the night sky is at its blackest — the best time of the month to see the stars.
Frequently Asked
When is the next new moon?
The next new moon is Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 14:35 UTC, about 24 days from now.
Why can't you see the new moon?
At new moon the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so its lit side faces away from us and the side we see is in shadow. It also rises and sets with the Sun, lost in daylight.
Is the new moon good for stargazing?
Yes — the nights around a new moon are the darkest of the month, with no moonlight to wash out faint stars, galaxies, and meteor showers. They are the best nights for deep-sky viewing.
When are the best nights to stargaze?
The best dark-sky nights are the roughly three nights either side of each new moon. The next window is Aug 9 – Aug 15, when moonlight is at its faintest for the Milky Way, meteors and faint objects.