OBSERVING GUIDE · UPDATED 2026-10-31
Full Moon Calendar 2026 for Stargazing
A full-moon calendar helps with two different plans: observing the bright lunar disk and avoiding moonlight for faint deep-sky targets. Phase times are astronomical instants in Universal Time, while the Moon’s local rise, altitude and set determine its practical effect.
2026 quick facts
- January–April Full Moons
- January 3, February 1, March 3, April 2
- May–August Full Moons (UT dates)
- May 1, May 31, June 29, July 29, August 28
- September–December Full Moons
- September 26, October 26, November 24, December 24
- Source basis
- USNO primary Moon phases, API v4.0.1; checked October 17, 2026
- Local planning
- Dates are phase dates; check local moonrise and moonset
All 13 Full Moons in 2026 — Universal Time
These are USNO phase instants, not local moonrise times. Convert UT to your time zone before using a calendar date. June 29 at 23:56 UT is already June 30 in many eastern time zones.
| Full Moon date (UT) | Time (UT) |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | 10:03 |
| 2026-02-01 | 22:09 |
| 2026-03-03 | 11:38 |
| 2026-04-02 | 02:12 |
| 2026-05-01 | 17:23 |
| 2026-05-31 | 08:45 |
| 2026-06-29 | 23:56 |
| 2026-07-29 | 14:36 |
| 2026-08-28 | 04:18 |
| 2026-09-26 | 16:49 |
| 2026-10-26 | 04:12 |
| 2026-11-24 | 14:53 |
| 2026-12-24 | 01:28 |
Plan your observing session
How to read a full-moon date
The listed phase is the instant when the Moon reaches the relevant geometry; it does not remain perfectly full for an entire civil day. The disk looks nearly full on adjacent nights, and local calendar dates can differ after time-zone conversion.
For travel or photography, use a current ephemeris for your exact location. This page intentionally avoids claiming one universal local clock time because longitude and daylight-saving rules change the conversion.
Planning faint-object sessions
A bright Moon raises the sky background and hides low-contrast galaxies, nebulae and Milky Way structure. Plan those targets nearer New Moon, or observe before moonrise or after moonset when the Moon is absent.
Angular separation also matters. A target far from the Moon may remain usable in transparent air, while thin cloud can spread lunar glare across much of the sky. A Full Moon is not automatically a wasted night.
Planning lunar observation
Full Moon is excellent for seeing the whole near-side pattern and bright ray systems, but low-angle relief is stronger along the terminator during crescent and quarter phases. Use a lunar filter if telescope brightness feels uncomfortable.
Observers worldwide see the same phase geometry at nearly the same instant, but the Moon may be below the horizon in a particular location. Check a local rise-and-set table before arranging a public session.
New Moon alongside each month's Full Moon
| Month | New Moon · UT | Full Moon · UT | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 2026-01-18 19:52 | 2026-01-03 10:03 | Check cold-weather access and local Moon times. |
| 02 | 2026-02-17 12:01 | 2026-02-01 22:09 | Bright Moon nights still suit lunar and planetary work. |
| 03 | 2026-03-19 01:23 | 2026-03-03 11:38 | For crater shadows, compare nearby quarter phases. |
| 04 | 2026-04-17 11:52 | 2026-04-02 02:12 | New Moon is not a promise of a clear night. |
| 05 | 2026-05-16 20:01 | 2026-05-01 17:23 · 2026-05-31 08:45 | Two Full Moons this month do not imply extra brightness. |
| 06 | 2026-06-15 02:54 | 2026-06-29 23:56 | June 29 at 23:56 UT is June 30 in many eastern zones. |
| 07 | 2026-07-14 09:43 | 2026-07-29 14:36 | High northern summer can lack full astronomical darkness. |
| 08 | 2026-08-12 17:37 | 2026-08-28 04:18 | Use the archived Perseids guide for 2026 context, not a fresh alert. |
| 09 | 2026-09-11 03:27 | 2026-09-26 16:49 | Distinguish the Milky Way band from its bright center. |
| 10 | 2026-10-10 15:50 | 2026-10-26 04:12 | Late-season core visibility needs a local sky-map check. |
| 11 | 2026-11-09 07:02 | 2026-11-24 14:53 | Compare moonset with both Taurid planning windows. |
| 12 | 2026-12-09 00:52 | 2026-12-24 01:28 | For the 13–14 Geminids, check the crescent Moon's local setting. |
UT instants are not moonrise or guaranteed dark windows. Convert time zones. USNO phase data were checked October 31,2026; existing source records elsewhere retain their own dates. USNO 2026 ↗
Frequently asked questions
Is Full Moon at the same moment worldwide?
Yes in astronomical terms, but local clock times and dates differ.
Does Full Moon prevent all stargazing?
No. Bright planets, stars and the Moon remain useful targets.
Why not publish a universal local time?
Local time zones and whether the Moon is above the horizon depend on location.
Sources and accuracy note
The 13 Full Moon dates and UT times were checked against the USNO 2026 API response on October 17, 2026 (API v4.0.1). June's Full Moon is June 29 at 23:56 UT, which is June 30 in some eastern time zones. Convert every row to your own time zone; it is not a local moonrise time.
- USNO: 2026 primary Moon phases (Universal Time) · U.S. Naval Observatory · verified 2026-10-17T00:00:00+08:00
- NASA Science: Moon Phases · NASA Science · verified 2026-10-17T00:00:00+08:00
- USNO: Rise, Set, and Twilight Definitions · U.S. Naval Observatory · verified 2026-10-17T00:00:00+08:00
Editorial review and freshness
Author: Starry Forecast Editorial Team. Reviewer: Starry Forecast Astronomy Review Desk. Verified: 2026-10-17T00:00:00+08:00. Updated: 2026-10-31T00:00:00+08:00. Source refresh due: 2026-11-17.