Some nights when we look up at the moon, it is complete and intense; sometimes it is simply a sliver of silvery light. These changes in appearance are the phases of the moon. As the moon orbits Earth, it cycles through eight unique phases. The four primary stages of the moon happen about a week apart, with the moon its most dazzling stage.In November 2021, the moons stages will happen on the following dates: New Moon: Dec. 4First Quarter: Dec. 10Full Moon: Dec. 18Last Quarter: Dec. 26During the new moon on Dec. 4, the moon will pass in front of the sun, as seen from Earth, creating the only total lunar eclipse of 2021. The overall stage of the solar eclipse will only be visible from Antarctica, however you can watch a NASA livestream, weather condition allowing. The livestream will begin Dec. 4 at 1:30 a.m. EST (0630 GMT), with the solar eclipse itself beginning at 2 a.m. EST (0700 GMT). The total phase of the eclipse will start at 2:33 a.m. EST (0733 GMT), with the eclipse ending at 3:06 a.m. EST (2006 GMT). Lunar calendar for 2021Here are the moon phases for 2021, according to NASAs SKYCAL. Times and dates are in UTC time. If you need devices for seeing the moon, examine out our guide to the very best telescopes and the best telescopes for kids.You can likewise inspect out our guide on how to photo the moon, as well as how to picture a lunar eclipse for significant moon occasions. Theres even a guide on how to photograph a solar eclipse. Our best electronic cameras for astrophotography and finest lenses for astrophotography guides can help prepare you for the next lunar sight if youre looking for imaging equipment.
Phases of the moonThis NASA graphic shows the dates of the moons phases for December 2021. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) The moon, like Earth, is a sphere, and it is constantly half-illuminated by the sun. As the moon circumnavigates Earth, we see more or less of the brightened half. Moon phases describe how much of the moons disk is lit up from our perspective.New moon: The moon is in between Earth and the sun, and the side of the moon dealing with toward us receives no direct sunshine; it is lit just by dim sunshine shown from Earth.Waxing crescent: As the moon walks around Earth, the side we can see slowly ends up being more lit up by direct sunlight.First quarter: The moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half-illuminated from our point of view. We call it “first quarter” due to the fact that the moon has taken a trip about a quarter of the way around Earth given that the new moon.See the moon stages, and the difference between a waxing and waning crescent or gibbous moon, in this Space.com infographic about the lunar cycle monthly. See the complete infographic. (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com) Waxing gibbous: The area of illumination continues to increase. Over half of the moons face seems getting sunlight.Full moon: The moon is 180 degrees far from the sun and is as close as it can be to being totally lit up by the sun from our point of view. The sun, Earth and the moon are lined up, however since the moons orbit is not precisely in the exact same aircraft as Earths orbit around the sun, they seldom form a perfect line. When they do, we have a lunar eclipse as Earths shadow crosses the moons face.Waning gibbous: More than half of the moons face appears to be getting sunshine, however the quantity is decreasing.Last quarter: The moon has moved another quarter of the way around Earth, to the 3rd quarter position. The suns light is now shining on the other half of the visible face of the moon.Waning crescent: Less than half of the moons face seems getting sunlight, and the amount is decreasing.Finally, the moon is back to its new moon beginning position. Now, the moon is in between Earth and the sun. Normally the moon passes above or listed below the sun from our perspective, however occasionally it passes right in front of the sun, and we get a solar eclipse. Related: Infographic: How Moon Phases WorkAdditional resources
The 4 main phases of the moon happen about a week apart, with the complete moon its most dazzling stage.In November 2021, the moons phases will occur on the following dates: New Moon: Dec. 4First Quarter: Dec. 10Full Moon: Dec. 18Last Quarter: Dec. 26During the new moon on Dec. 4, the moon will pass in front of the sun, as seen from Earth, creating the only overall lunar eclipse of 2021. If you require devices for seeing the moon, check out our guide to the finest telescopes and the best telescopes for kids.You can likewise check out our guide on how to picture the moon, as well as how to photo a lunar eclipse for significant moon occasions. Moon stages explain how much of the moons disk is illuminated from our perspective.New moon: The moon is between Earth and the sun, and the side of the moon dealing with toward us receives no direct sunshine; it is lit just by dim sunshine shown from Earth.Waxing crescent: As the moon moves around Earth, the side we can see gradually ends up being more brightened by direct sunlight.First quarter: The moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half-illuminated from our point of view. We call it “very first quarter” because the moon has actually taken a trip about a quarter of the method around Earth since the new moon.See the moon stages, and the distinction in between a waxing and subsiding crescent or gibbous moon, in this Space.com infographic about the lunar cycle each month. When they do, we have a lunar eclipse as Earths shadow crosses the moons face.Waning gibbous: More than half of the moons face appears to be getting sunshine, however the quantity is decreasing.Last quarter: The moon has actually moved another quarter of the way around Earth, to the 3rd quarter position.
Phases of the moon 2021 with dates
New MoonFirst QuarterFull MoonLast QuarterJan 6, 9:37 a.m.Jan 13, 5:00 a.m.Jan 20 9:02 p.m.Jan 28, 7:16 p.m.Feb 4, 5:37 p.m.Feb 11, 7:06 p.m.Feb 19, 6:47 p.m. Feb 27, 8:17 Mar 6, 1:30 a.m.Mar 13, 10:21 a.m.Mar 21, 2:40 p.m.Mar 28, 6:48 p.m.Apr 4, 10:02 a.m.Apr 12, 2:31 a.m.Apr 20, 6:59 a.m.Apr 27, 3:31 a.m.May 3, 7:50 p.m.May 11, 7:00 p.m.May 19, 7:13 p.m.May 26, 11:14 a.m.Jun 2, 7:24 a.m.Jun 10, 10:53 a.m.Jun 18, 3:54 a.m.Jun 24, 6:40 p.m.Jul 1, 9:11 p.m.Jul 10, 1:16 a.m.Jul 17, 10:11 a.m.Jul 24, 2:37 a.m.Jul 31, 1:16 p.m.Aug 8, 1:50 p.m.Aug 15, 3:20 p.m.Aug 22, 12:02 p.m.Aug 30, 7:13 a.m.Sep 7, 12:52 a.m.Sep 13, 8:39 p.m.Sep 20, 11:55 p.m.Sep 29, 1:57 a.m.Oct 6, 11:05 a.m.Oct 13, 3:25 a.m.Oct 20, 2:57 p.m.Oct 28, 8:05 p.m.Nov 4, 9:15 p.m.Nov 11, 12; 46 p.m.Nov 19, 8:58 a.m.Nov 27, 12:28 p.m.Dec 4, 7:43 a.m.Dec 10, 1:36 a.m.Dec 18, 4:36 a.m.Dec 26, 2:24 a.m.