The Best Moon Phase for Stargazing

If you want to see a sky full of stars, the biggest thing in your way is often the moon. A bright moon acts like a floodlight and washes out everything faint. The good news: timing your night around the moon phase makes a huge difference, and it is free.

Aim for the new moon

The darkest skies of the month are the few days around a new moon, when the moon is barely up at night. This is when faint stars, the Milky Way, and distant objects show up best. If you are planning a stargazing trip, start by finding the new moon.

Avoid the full moon

A full moon is the worst night for deep-sky viewing. It is bright enough to cast shadows and hide all but the brightest stars. You can still enjoy the moon itself, and bright planets, but the faint stuff disappears.

The in-between trick

You do not always need a full new moon. Even a half moon leaves part of the night dark. If the moon sets a few hours after sunset, or rises after midnight, you get a dark window with no moon. A crescent phase often gives you several good dark hours.

A quick planning checklist

• Find the nearest new moon, or a night when the moon is a thin crescent.
• Get away from city lights if you can.
• Give your eyes 20 minutes in the dark to adjust, and avoid phone screens.
• Check meteor shower dates and hope they land near a new moon.

Find the next new moon and tonight's phase on moontrack.