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TL;DR: There are 12 new moons in 2026, one per month. All dates and exact UTC times are in the table below.
When Is the Next New Moon?
You can check the next new moon date in 2026 in the table below, just find today’s date and look for the next entry.
New moon dates 2026 – complete calendar
This is the complete new moon 2026 calendar, with exact UTC times for all 12 new moons.
| New moon date and time (UTC) |
|---|
| January 18, 2026, 19:52 |
| February 17, 2026, 12:01 |
| March 19, 2026, 1:23 |
| April 17, 2026, 11:52 |
| May 16, 2026, 20:01 |
| June 15, 2026, 02:54 |
| July 14, 2026, 9:43 |
| August 12, 2026, 17:37 |
| September 11, 2026, 03:27 |
| October 10, 2026, 15:50 |
| November 9, 2026, 07:02 |
| December 9, 2026, 00:52 |
Times are in UTC. To convert to your local time, add or subtract your UTC offset (e.g. UTC+1 = add 1 hour, UTC−5 = subtract 5 hours).
See Full Moon Dates 2026 🌕
What Is a New Moon?
A New Moon marks the beginning of the lunar cycle. It occurs when the Moon positions itself between the Earth and the Sun, aligning in a way that the sunlit side faces away from our planet. As a result, the portion of the Moon visible from Earth remains in darkness, making it invisible to the naked eye.
The New Moon marks the beginning of a new synodic month.
Did you know? A New moon can also be a supermoon!
Check Supermoon Calendar 2026 🌕
How Often Does a New Moon Occur?
A New Moon occurs approximately every 29.53 days. This period is known as the synodic month, which is the time it takes for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases.
Because the lunar cycle is not exactly 30 days, New Moon dates shift slightly each month. That is why the New Moon calendar 2026 shows varying dates rather than fixed monthly positions.
There are typically 12 New Moons in a calendar year. Occasionally, a year may contain 13 New Moons depending on how the lunar cycle aligns with the Gregorian calendar.
Why the New Moon Is Important for Stargazing
The New Moon phase is ideal for astronomical observation. Since the Moon does not reflect visible light toward Earth during this time:
- Light pollution from moonlight is minimal.
- Faint galaxies and nebulae become easier to observe.
- Astrophotography results improve significantly.
For deep-sky observers, the period two days before and two days after the New Moon provides optimal dark sky conditions.
If you follow a stargazing calendar, aligning your observations with the New Moon 2026 dates will improve visibility of celestial objects.
Astrophotography tips for new moon nights
Dark sky location is the biggest factor. Even a modest camera will outperform a top-end setup under suburban skies. Use apps like Light Pollution Map or Clear Outside to find your nearest dark site.
For astrophotography new moon sessions, a few practical settings to start with:
Aperture: f/2.8 or wider
ISO: 800–1600 (adjust for your sensor)
Shutter speed: 10–25 seconds (use the 500 rule to avoid star trails)
Focus: manual, on a bright star using live view zoom
Shoot RAW. Stack multiple exposures in post to reduce noise – free tools like Sequator (Windows) or Siril handle this well.
Dark sky conditions don’t last all night. The best window is typically 1–2 hours after astronomical twilight until the sky starts to brighten again before dawn. Plan your targets in advance using Stellarium or SkySafari.
Can You See the Moon During a New Moon?
In most cases, the Moon is not visible during the exact New Moon phase. However:
- A very thin crescent may appear shortly after sunset within 1–2 days.
- Visibility depends on atmospheric clarity and geographic location.
Astronomers use precise calculations rather than visual confirmation to determine the exact New Moon moment.
FAQ’s ❓
When is the next new moon in 2026?
Check the table above to find the next new moon date.
How many new moons are there in 2026?
There are 12 new moons in 2026, one each month. A 13th would require two new moons in the same calendar month, which doesn’t occur this year.
Can you see the new moon?
No. At the exact new moon phase, the Moon is invisible. A thin crescent appears 1-2 days later, low on the western horizon after sunset.
Why is the new moon the best time for stargazing?
Because there’s no moonlight to brighten the sky. The Moon is the biggest source of natural light pollution at night. Remove it, and faint deep-sky objects – galaxies, nebulae, star clusters – become dramatically easier to see and photograph.
What is the difference between a new moon and a full moon?
A new moon occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun (Moon’s dark side faces us). A full moon occurs when Earth is between the Moon and the Sun (Moon’s lit side fully faces us). They’re opposite phases, roughly 14–15 days apart.
How long does the new moon phase last?
The Moon appears “new” (invisible or near-invisible) for about 1–2 days around that moment.
What is a black moon?
A Black Moon is the informal name for the second new moon in a single calendar month. Like any new moon, it’s invisible from Earth. There is no Black Moon in 2026 under this definition – no month contains two new moons.