Moon Phases in August 2026: Information from the National Meteorological Institute

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 6, 2026, the Moon will be in the waning phase, showing 45% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has made available the complete calendar of lunar phases for this month.

The phases for August 2026 began on the 5th with the Waning Moon at 11:22 PM Brasília time. Subsequently, the New Moon will occur on the 12th at 2:37 PM. The Waxing Moon will be visible starting on the 19th at 11:46 PM, and the Full Moon will happen on the 28th at 1:19 AM.

A lunar cycle, also known as lunation, is a time interval that varies slightly, averaging 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 first quarter and the gibbous waxing (located between the new and full phases), and the gibbous waning and the last quarter (located between the full and waning phases).

Details about 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 away from us, 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 illuminated band starts to appear in the sky, progressively increasing each night. Initially, only a faint arc of light is observed, but as the days advance, the illuminated area grows until it reaches half of the Moon, a moment called First Quarter. This phase represents 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 radiant 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, the illuminated portion of the surface decreases. When half of it 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, conclusion, and preparation for subsequent beginnings.

On August 2, 2026, the Moon was in the full phase and had 80% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) provided the complete calendar of lunar phases for August 2026.

The lunar phases for August 2026 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. Next, the Waxing Moon will appear on the 19th at 11:46 PM. To conclude the month, the Full Moon will happen 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 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,' such as the first quarter and the gibbous crescent (located between the new and full phases), and the gibbous waning and the last quarter (between the full and waning phases).

Details of Each Lunar Phase

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 it impossible to see the Moon in the night sky. This phase signals the beginning of a new lunar cycle and is linked to renewal and new opportunities.

After the New Moon, the Waxing phase begins. Slowly, a small illuminated band starts to appear in the sky, progressively increasing each night. Initially, only a thin arc of light is observed, 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 configuration allows the entire lunar face facing us to receive complete illumination, making it completely 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 associated with fullness, the peak of processes, and energy at its highest point.

Concluding the cycle, after the Full Moon, the Moon's luminosity begins to gradually decrease. Each night, a smaller portion of its illuminated surface becomes visible. When half of it 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.