The Best Moon Phase for Stargazing

Tips · 3-minute read

The single biggest factor you control for a good stargazing night — short of driving somewhere darker — is the moon. Here is how to time it.

Why the moon matters

A bright moon floods the sky with scattered light and washes out faint stars, the Milky Way and most deep-sky objects. Around full moon the sky is so bright that only the moon, planets and brightest stars stand out. As the moon wanes toward new, the sky darkens dramatically.

Pick your window

• New moon (and a few days either side) — the darkest skies and the best time for faint objects.
• Crescent phases — still good once the moon has set; check moonset in the tool.
• Around full moon — best for the moon itself and planets, poor for faint stars.

Use the 30-day calendar to find the next new moon, and the moonset time for your location to plan a window after the moon drops below the horizon.

More: Why tides follow the moon, or the Moon Phase blog.