All articles tagged with #moon phase
A maker project by Karsten Mueller uses a circular display, an ESP32-S3, and a 3D-printed case to show a locally accurate moon phase that accounts for your time and location, with NASA imagery as an optional source; the project is documented in German and English on Hackaday.io and the code is available on GitHub.
The 2026 Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks overnight May 5–6 with up to ~50 meteors per hour under ideal skies. The radiant lies in Aquarius and northern observers typically see activity after midnight toward dawn, while southern tropical skies can offer brighter displays. A bright waning gibbous Moon (84% lit) rises just after midnight, potentially washing out fainter meteors, so the best viewing is in the pre-dawn hours from dark locations. No special equipment needed, and it's a good chance for photographers to catch fast meteor trails.
The Eta Aquarid meteor shower runs April 19–May 28, with a broad peak overnight May 5–6. For northern observers, the best viewing is in the predawn hours around May 6 when the Aquarius radiant is highest. Southern Hemisphere tropics may see up to about 50 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. A bright Moon (84% illuminated) rises after midnight on May 5–6, washing out many dim meteors and likely keeping northern hourly counts below 10. To spot them, locate the Aquarius radiant with a sky app, then scan a patch about 40 degrees away from the radiant. Meteors are best seen with the naked eye, and the article also notes photography tips and a share-the-image opportunity.
The Lyrids meteor shower peaks tonight into tomorrow (April 21–22), with bright meteors radiating from Lyra as Earth passes debris from comet Thatcher. Best viewing is with naked eyes under dark skies between midnight and sunrise; give your eyes about 30 minutes to adapt, and be aware the Moon will be a 27% crescent that can wash out fainter meteors. Weather forecasts point to the Upper Midwest as the likeliest to have clear skies, while Chicago and much of the Northeast may be clouded; pockets of clearing could occur in parts of the West and Southeast as a storm system moves east. The shower can be seen all night through April 30, and no telescope is needed.
On Feb 17, 2025, the Moon is in the New Moon phase, leaving the sky dark, as an annular solar eclipse occurs—visible in full from Antarctica and as a partial eclipse in parts of South Africa; the next Full Moon is March 3, following the Feb 1 Full Moon.
After a Quadrantids peak hampered by a full Moon, 2026 looks set to offer unusually favorable meteor viewing with several showers aligning with dark skies: Perseids peak Aug 12–13 under a new Moon for exceptionally clear visuals; Geminids peak Dec 13–14 under a waning crescent; earlier showers like Lyrids (Apr 22) and Eta Aquariids (May 5–6) provide viewing opportunities with varying Moon interference; Orionids (Oct 21–22) may still produce bright meteors though Moonlight could obscure fainter ones. For best results, watch from rural or dark sites, especially after midnight for the Perseids.
On December 31, 2025, the moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, with 88% illumination, offering a great view of lunar features with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope, and the next full moon will occur on January 3.
After December 26, 2025, three zodiac signs—Cancer, Libra, and Sagittarius—experience significant positive changes in their lives, driven by the Waxing Crescent Moon in Pisces, which boosts motivation, emotional understanding, and personal breakthroughs.
The horoscope for December 24, 2025, offers daily insights for each zodiac sign, highlighting positive, average, and cautionary advice based on planetary movements, with a focus on social interactions, potential accidents, and personal energy levels. The day features a Moon transition from Aquarius to Pisces, influencing mood and behavior, and advises caution during the Moon Alert hours.
The Taurid meteor shower, visible from mid-October to mid-November, peaks between Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, offering a chance to see bright meteors and fireballs, especially on Nov. 12 when the moon's brightness diminishes, providing dark skies for optimal viewing.
On November 10, 2025, the moon is in its waning gibbous phase, with 68% illumination, visible features include Aristarchus Plateau and Copernicus Crater, and the next full moon is on December 4.
On November 3, 2025, the moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase with 94% illumination, just before the full moon on November 5, offering various visible features for observers with binoculars or telescopes, and providing an opportunity to learn about the lunar cycle and moon phases.
The horoscope for October 18, 2025, offers daily guidance for each zodiac sign, highlighting favorable activities like work travel and social outings, while advising caution around authority figures and during certain moon phases. The day encourages positive interactions, self-belief, and being open to new opportunities, especially for those celebrating birthdays like Lindsey Vonn.
On October 11, 2025, the moon is in its waning gibbous phase, with 74% illumination, and will continue to wane until the new moon. The next full moon is on November 5, and various lunar features can be observed with binoculars or a telescope. Moon phases occur as the Sun, Earth, and Moon change positions, creating eight main phases in a 29.5-day cycle.
The super harvest moon, the largest and brightest moon of the year, will be visible tonight into early October 7, peaking at 11:47 p.m. ET, with cloud cover potentially affecting visibility across the U.S. The moon's name and timing are linked to historical harvests, and it coincides with upcoming meteor showers, offering a spectacular celestial display.