Moon Phase Today UK
The Moon wobbles slightly as it orbits Earth β a phenomenon called libration. Hit Animate Day to watch the surface shift live. Over time, this lets us see 59% of the lunar surface rather than just 50%.
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Explore UK Cities
Moon phase, moonrise/moonset, and local viewing details for towns and cities across the UK.
More UK cities added regularly.
UK Moon Phase FAQ
Astronomy Watch UK
The moon phase today UK is calculated in real time using high-precision astronomical algorithms verified against NASA lunar ephemeris data. The calculator above shows current illumination, moonrise and moonset times for any UK town or city, lunar age in days, and the date of the next Full Moon. Use it to plan fishing trips or a stargazing session around peak moonlight, or check our Sunrise Today tool for daily sunrise and sunset times at your location.
Moon Phases Explained
The Moon doesn't change shape β only the angle of sunlight across its surface does. As it orbits Earth over 29.5 days, that shifting angle produces eight distinct phases, each with its own character and its own best targets for observation.
How this looks from the UK
Sitting between roughly 50Β°N and 59Β°N, the UK sees the Moon at a noticeably steeper tilt than observers nearer the equator β the "smiley face" crescent some travellers photograph in the tropics almost never appears here, since the terminator runs closer to vertical from British latitudes. Season matters too: a UK winter full moon rides high overhead, arcing through the same high path the summer Sun takes, while a summer full moon stays low and skims the southern horizon. Use the calculator above for exact moonrise, moonset, and phase times wherever you are in the UK.
Select a phase