Moon Phases
For astrophotography in Scotland, the best dark-sky periods are generally the 5 nights around the New Moon, while the 5 nights centred on the Full Moon are usually the least favourable for capturing faint deep-sky objects, the Milky Way, and weaker auroral displays.
2026 New Moon & Full Moon Dates
January
New Moon – 18 January
Full Moon – 3 January
February
New Moon – 17 February
Full Moon – 1 February
March
New Moon – 19 March
Full Moon – 3 March
April
New Moon – 17 April
Full Moon – 2 April
May
New Moon – 16 May
Full Moon – 1 May and 31 May (Blue Moon)
June
New Moon – 14 June
Full Moon – 30 June
July
New Moon – 14 July
Full Moon – 29 July
August
New Moon – 12 August
Full Moon – 28 August
September
New Moon – 10 September
Full Moon – 26 September
October
New Moon – 10 October
Full Moon – 26 October
November
New Moon – 9 November
Full Moon – 24 November
December
New Moon – 8 December
Full Moon – 24 December
2027 New Moon & Full Moon Dates
January
New Moon – 7 January
Full Moon – 22 January
February
New Moon – 5 February
Full Moon – 21 February
March
New Moon – 7 March
Full Moon – 22 March
April
New Moon – 5 April
Full Moon – 21 April
May
New Moon – 4 May
Full Moon – 20 May
June
New Moon – 3 June
Full Moon – 19 June
July
New Moon – 2 July
Full Moon – 18 July
August
New Moon – 1 August and 30 August
Full Moon – 17 August
September
New Moon – 29 September
Full Moon – 16 September
October
New Moon – 29 October
Full Moon – 15 October
November
New Moon – 27 November
Full Moon – 14 November
December
New Moon – 27 December
Full Moon – 13 December