New Moon
Also called: dark of the Moon
The Moon sits between the Earth and the Sun, so its lit side faces away from us. The sky is at its darkest, which makes it the best time for faint objects.
- Type
- Moon Phases
- Best season
- Any time of year
- Gear
- Naked eye
- When to look
- About once a month, roughly every 29½ days
- Lit part
- None visible from Earth
- Rises and sets
- About with the Sun, so it is up during the day
- Best for
- Stargazing, the Milky Way, faint galaxies, and meteor showers
- Cycle
- The lunar cycle averages about 29.5 days
What you will see
- No Moon in the night sky.
- The darkest skies of the month.
- A solar eclipse can occur only at a new Moon.
How to watch
- Plan stargazing, Milky Way photography, and faint-object hunting for the days around new Moon.
- The nights just before and just after are nearly as dark.
- Check a calendar or app for the exact date.
Field notes
Because the Moon is not in the night sky, a new Moon is the best time for dark-sky observing, from the Milky Way to faint galaxies.
Many anglers and hunters plan around the Moon, but the evidence that it changes animal behavior is mixed, so treat it as one more factor and not a rule.
Related guides
Dates and times repeat from year to year but shift slightly, and the Moon's phase and the planets' positions are different every year. Check a current source such as NASA, the American Meteor Society, or a stargazing app before you plan a night out, and check the weather forecast for clear skies.