Lunar eclipse expected during Raksha Bandhan in 2026, potentially changing the Moon's color

On August 5, 2026, the Moon is in the first day of the waning phase, showing 57% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has made available the complete calendar of lunar phases for the month.

Upcoming Lunar Phases in August 2026

The lunar cycle in August 2026 begins with the Waning Moon on the 5th at 11:22 PM Brasília time. Subsequently, the New Moon will occur on the 12th at 2:37 PM. The Waxing Moon will appear on the 19th at 11:46 PM, and the cycle will conclude with the Full Moon on the 28th at 1:19 AM.

A lunar cycle, also known as a lunation, is the time interval between two new moons and has an average duration of 29.5 days. During this period, the Moon passes through the four main phases—new, waxing, full, and waning—with each phase lasting approximately seven days. In addition to these main phases, there are so-called 'interphases': the quarter waxing and the gibbous waxing (between new and full), and the gibbous waning and the quarter waning (between full and waning).

Understanding Each Moon Phase

During the New Moon phase, the satellite is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. As a result, the illuminated side faces the Sun, while the dark side is turned towards us, making the Moon invisible in the night sky. This phase signals the beginning of a new lunar cycle and is associated with renewal and new opportunities.

After the New Moon, the Waxing phase appears. Slowly, a small illuminated band begins to appear in the sky, intensifying every night. Initially, only a thin arc of light is observed, but this illuminated area progressively increases until half of the Moon is visible, a stage called Quarter Waxing. This period symbolizes development, growth, and the building of new paths.

During the Full Moon, the Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon. This ensures that the lunar face facing the Earth receives full light, making it completely bright and visible in the firmament. This is the moment of greatest luminous intensity, occurring when the Moon rises on the horizon simultaneously with sunset. The Full Moon is associated with fullness, the peak of processes, and energy at its maximum point.

Concluding the cycle, after the Full Moon, the lunar luminosity begins to gradually decline. Every night, the illuminated portion of the surface decreases. When half of the Moon is visible, the Quarter Waning occurs, which is the opposite of the Quarter Waxing. The Moon continues to lose brightness until it returns to the New Moon, thus restarting the cycle. The Waning phase represents reflection, closure, and preparation for subsequent beginnings.

What is the Moon Phase Today?

Currently, the Moon is in the Waning phase.

On August 4, 2026, the Moon is at the last day of the full phase, showing 60% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has made available the complete calendar of lunar phases for the month of August.

The next lunar transitions in August 2026 are scheduled to begin with the Waning Moon on the 5th, at 11:22 PM (Brasília time). Subsequently, the New Moon will occur on the 12th, at 2:37 PM. The Waxing Moon will appear on the 19th, at 11:46 PM, and the cycle will conclude with the Full Moon on the 28th, at 1:19 AM.

The lunar cycle, also known as lunation, refers to the time interval between two new moons and has an average duration of 29.5 days. During this period, the Moon passes through four main phases: new, waxing, full, and waning, with each phase lasting approximately seven days. In addition to these main phases, there are so-called 'interphases,' such as the first quarter and the gibbous crescent (between new and full), and the gibbous waning and the last quarter (between full and waning).

Understanding Each Moon Phase

During the New Moon phase, the satellite is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. Consequently, the illuminated side faces the Sun, while the dark side is turned towards us, making the Moon invisible in the night sky. This phase signals the beginning of a new lunar cycle, associated with renewal and new opportunities.

After the New Moon, the Waxing phase begins. A thin band of light starts to be observed in the sky and progressively increases each night. Initially, only a faint arc of light is seen, but this illuminated area grows until half of the Moon is visible, a stage called First Quarter. This phase represents development, growth, and the building of new paths.

In the Full Moon phase, the Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon. This ensures that the entire lunar face facing the Earth receives complete illumination, making it fully bright and visible in the sky. This is the period of maximum luminous intensity, occurring when the Moon rises on the horizon simultaneously with sunset. The Full Moon is linked to fullness, the peak of processes, and energy at its highest point.

Concluding the cycle, after the Full Moon, the lunar brightness begins to gradually decrease. Each night, a smaller portion of its illuminated surface becomes visible. When half of the Moon is visible, the Last Quarter occurs, which is the opposite of the First Quarter. The Moon continues to lose brightness until it returns to the New Moon, thus restarting the cycle. The Waning phase symbolizes reflection, closure, and preparation for future beginnings.

What is the Moon Phase Today?

Today, the Moon is in the Full phase.