MooniFai — Moon Phase Dashboard & Lunar Calendar
MooniFai is a free interactive moon phase tracker featuring real-time astronomical calculations, daily lunar data, moonrise and moonset times for 25+ cities worldwide, eclipse predictions, zodiac positions, and educational guides about the lunar cycle. Our tools are used by photographers, gardeners, students, and astronomy enthusiasts around the world.
Today's Moon Phase
Use the MooniFai dashboard to check today's exact moon phase, illumination percentage, waxing or waning status, moonrise and moonset times, and zodiac position. The dashboard updates in real time using the synodic month algorithm anchored to the known new moon of January 6, 2000.
Interactive Lunar Tools
Moon Phase Calendar & Yearly Guides
Moonrise Times by City
Educational Guides
Understanding the Eight Moon Phases
The lunar cycle, also known as the synodic month, lasts approximately 29.53 days. During this time, the moon progresses through eight distinct phases. These phases are not caused by Earth's shadow (a common misconception) but by our changing viewing angle of the moon's sunlit side as it orbits our planet.
- New Moon (0% Illumination) — The moon is between the Earth and Sun. The sunlit side faces away from us, making the moon invisible. This is the darkest sky phase, ideal for stargazing and deep-sky astrophotography.
- Waxing Crescent (1-49%) — A thin sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere). The term "waxing" comes from the Old English "weaxan," meaning to grow.
- First Quarter (50%) — The right half of the moon is illuminated. The moon has completed one quarter of its orbital journey. It is often visible in the afternoon and early evening sky.
- Waxing Gibbous (51-99%) — More than half the face is lit. "Gibbous" derives from the Latin word for humpbacked. The moon is building toward full illumination.
- Full Moon (100%) — The Earth is between the Sun and Moon. The entire earth-facing side is lit, providing the brightest night of the lunar month. Full moons cause the strongest tidal forces.
- Waning Gibbous (99-51%) — The light begins to recede from the right side. "Waning" comes from Old English "wanian," meaning to diminish.
- Last Quarter (50%) — The left half is illuminated. The moon rises around midnight and is visible in the morning sky.
- Waning Crescent (49-1%) — The final sliver of light before the cycle resets. Often called the "old moon," it is visible just before sunrise.
Why Track the Moon?
Moon phase tracking is not just for astronomers. Photographers use moonrise times to plan landscape shots during the "golden hour." Gardeners follow the centuries-old practice of planting by the moon, timing their sowing to the waxing and waning cycle. Fishermen track lunar phases because fish activity often correlates with moonrise periods. Religious communities worldwide rely on moon sighting for calendar events including Ramadan, Easter, Passover, Diwali, and Karwa Chauth. Teachers use moon phase tools for engaging classroom activities, and curious minds simply enjoy connecting with the natural rhythms of our planet's closest celestial companion.
The Science Behind MooniFai
MooniFai calculates moon data using the synodic month model. The moon's age is computed from a known reference point (the new moon of January 6, 2000), and illumination is derived using cosine interpolation of the phase angle. Phase classification divides the 29.53-day cycle into eight equal segments. Moonrise and moonset times are estimated using the moon's orbital position and adjusted for each city's UTC offset and latitude. Zodiac positions are calculated by mapping the moon's ecliptic longitude to the twelve 30-degree zodiac sectors.
About MooniFai
MooniFai is developed and maintained by a team of astronomy enthusiasts and web developers. All educational content is researched and fact-checked using peer-reviewed astronomical references. The site is free to use, works on all devices, and supports multiple languages including English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Hindi.
Legal & Company
© 2026 MooniFai. All rights reserved. Data is approximate and for informational purposes only. Please enable JavaScript to use the interactive MooniFai Moon Phase Dashboard.