Moon Phase on Thursday, December 31, 2026
Times use New York, NY (America/New_York) unless noted.
- Phase
- Waning Crescent
- Illumination
- 41%
- Moon age
- 22.7 days
- Moonrise
- 12:39 AM
- Moonset
- 11:41 AM
Times on this page are for New York, NY (EST) unless noted. Phase and illumination are calculated for 12:00 PM local time with astronomy-engine.
A waning crescent moon (41%) closes out the lunar cycle on Thursday, December 31, 2026. Earthshine often returns on the dark part of the disk. The next New Moon is only a few days away.
On Thursday, December 31, 2026, the Moon is a waning crescent moon, 41% illuminated and 22.7 days old. Only a thin, shrinking sliver is lit, on the left side as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
Viewing tips
Nights are nearly moonless, which makes this an excellent time for deep-sky observing and meteor showers. For the crescent itself, look east about an hour before sunrise.
The next major phase is the New Moon on January 7 at 3:25 PM EST, 7 days from now.
The next full moon is the Wolf Moon on Friday, January 22, 2027. See the Wolf Moon page for times in every US time zone.
The Moon takes about 29.5 days to go through all eight phases, the synodic month. Phases happen at the same instant everywhere on Earth, but the calendar date can change with your time zone, especially when a phase falls near midnight.
FAQ
- What is the moon phase on Thursday, December 31, 2026?
- On Thursday, December 31, 2026, the Moon is a waning crescent moon, about 41% illuminated and 22.7 days old (calculated for 12:00 PM, EST).
- What time does the Moon rise on December 31 in New York, NY?
- In New York, NY, moonrise is at 12:39 AM and moonset at 11:41 AM (EST). Open the city moonrise page for other locations.
- When is the next full moon after December 31?
- The next full moon is the Wolf Moon on Friday, January 22, 2027 at 7:17 AM EST.