Moon Phase on August 10, 2026: Information about the Lunar Cycle

On August 9, 2026, the Moon was in the waning phase, with 15% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) provided the complete calendar of lunar phases for August 2026.

The lunar phases in August 2026 began on the 5th with the Waning Moon, recorded at 11:22 PM Brasília time. Subsequently, the New Moon occurred on the 12th at 2:37 PM. The Waxing Moon appeared on the 19th at 11:46 PM, culminating with the Full Moon on the 28th at 1:19 AM.

A lunar cycle, also known as a 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,' which include the first quarter and the gibbous crescent (located between the new and full phases), and the gibbous waning and the last quarter (located between the full and waning phases).

Details of the Lunar Phases

During the New Moon phase, the satellite is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. This results in only the side illuminated by the Sun facing the Sun, while the dark side faces 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 begins. Slowly, a thin band of light starts to be observed in the sky, progressively increasing each night. Initially, only a faint arc of light is seen, but as the days advance, the illuminated area grows until half of the Moon is visible, a stage called First Quarter. This phase symbolizes development, growth, and the building of new paths.

During the Full Moon phase, the Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon. This configuration allows the entire lunar face facing us to receive complete illumination, making it fully visible and bright in the firmament. This is the period of maximum 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 highest level.

After the Full Moon, the lunar luminosity begins to gradually decline. Each night, a decrease in the illuminated surface is observed. 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 represents reflection, conclusion, and preparation for subsequent beginnings.

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.

With the arrival of August, a new lunar cycle begins. Detailed information about the moon phases this month was provided by the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).

The lunar calendar for August 2026 presents the following events: the Waning Moon will occur on the 5th at 11:22 PM, Brasília time. Next, the New Moon will be observed on the 12th at 2:37 PM. Subsequently, the Waxing Moon will appear on the 19th at 11:46 PM. Finally, the Full Moon will happen on the 28th at 1:19 AM.

The lunar cycle, also called lunation or synodic month, spans approximately 29.5 days, the time required for the Moon to complete an orbit around the Earth and go through all its phases. This phenomenon is determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, which defines the amount of sunlight reflected and visible from the planet.

The cycle begins with the New Moon, a moment when the side illuminated by the Sun faces the hidden side of the Moon, making it almost invisible in the night sky. As the Moon orbits the Earth, the portion facing the planet gradually becomes illuminated, forming the Waxing Moon, which culminates in the Full Moon, when the entire visible face is completely illuminated.

After reaching the Full Moon, the process reverses: the illuminated area begins to decrease, passing through the Waning Moon phase until returning to the New Moon, thus restarting the cycle. In addition to these main phases, there are so-called 'interphases', which include the first quarter and waxing gibbous (located between the New Moon and the Full Moon), as well as waning gibbous and last quarter (located between the Full Moon and the Waning Moon).