Home / Other / Moon Phase
Moon Phase Calculator
Find tonight's moon phase. Perfect for photography, fishing, gardening.
Moon Phase Guide
🌑 New Moon: Best for stargazing (dark skies). Worst for photography.
🌓 First Quarter: Best for moon photography (crater shadows visible).
🌕 Full Moon: Brightest. Best fishing (stronger tides). Plant root crops.
🌗 Last Quarter: Great for photography. Plant above-ground crops.
💡 Expert Tip: Photography Settings
For dramatic crater detail, shoot during the First Quarter or Last Quarter (half moon). The side lighting creates shadows that highlight the craters. Use a 200mm+ lens, ISO 100, and 1/250s shutter speed.
⚠️ Common Mistake: Shooting the Full Moon
Many beginners think the Full Moon is best for photos. Actually, the light is flat and direct, washing out all the crater details. It's great for landscapes, but bad for close-ups.
Reviewed by James Wilson
Astrophotographer
James has been photographing the night sky for over 15 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a lunar cycle?
A complete lunar cycle (synodic month) takes approximately 29.53 days to go from New Moon to New Moon.
Best moon phase for photography?
First/last quarter (half moon) shows moon's craters best due to side lighting. Full moon is too bright and washes out detail.
Does the moon affect fishing?
Yes. Full and New moons create stronger tides ("spring tides"), which often leads to more active fish feeding. Best fishing is typically 2 days before and after a full moon.
When to plant by the moon?
Traditional wisdom suggests: Waxing moon (growing) -> plant above-ground crops. Waning moon (shrinking) -> plant root vegetables.