On November 1, 2026, the Moon was in the first stage of the waning phase, showing 57% visibility. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) released the complete calendar of lunar phases for the month of November.
Moon Phases in November
The month of November begins with the arrival of the Waning Moon on the 1st, at 5:30 PM Brasília time. Subsequently, the New Moon will occur on the 9th, at 4:02 AM. The Crescent phase will be observed on the 17th, appearing at 8:48 AM, and the Full Moon will happen on the 24th, at 11:55 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 the four main phases: new, crescent, full, and waning, each lasting approximately seven days.
In addition to these main phases, there are so-called 'interphases,' which include the waxing quarter and the gibbous crescent (located between the new and full phases), and the waning gibbous and the waning quarter (located between the full and waning phases).
Details of Lunar Phases
During the New Moon, 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 linked to renewal and new opportunities.
After the New Moon, the Crescent phase begins. Slowly, a thin band of light starts to be seen 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 half of the Moon is visible, a moment called the Waxing Quarter. This phase represents development, growth, and the building of new paths.
During the Full Moon, 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 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.
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 Waning Quarter occurs, which is the opposite of the Waxing 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.