Prayer Times in Belfast Today

Today the Moon's age is {age} days since the last new moon (full lunar cycle is 29.5 days).

The next full moon is on {date} (Hijri: {hijri} AH) — in {days} days from today.

The next new moon is on {date} (Hijri: {hijri} AH) — in {days} days from today.

{days} days remaining until the next full moon (on {date}).

Moon illumination is the portion of the lunar surface lit by the sun as seen from Earth. It ranges from 0% (new moon) to 100% (full moon), calculated astronomically from the Sun–Moon–Earth angle.

A new moon is the instant the Moon lies between Earth and Sun (0% illumination, invisible). A crescent appears one or two days after the new moon, as the first thin bow of light in the sky.

The crescent is visible after sunset on the western horizon when the Moon is at least about 15 hours old. A clear, cloudless western horizon is required.

The eight lunar phases are: (1) New Moon, (2) Waxing Crescent, (3) First Quarter, (4) Waxing Gibbous, (5) Full Moon, (6) Waning Gibbous, (7) Last Quarter, (8) Waning Crescent. The cycle repeats every 29.5 days.

Moonrise depends on a city’s longitude. The difference can reach up to 12 hours between the easternmost and westernmost parts of the world. Latitude has a minor effect on direction.

Laylat al-Qadr is a blessed night in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely the 27th but possibly any of the odd nights (21, 23, 25, 27, 29).

Yes, the moon can sometimes be seen in daytime, especially during the First Quarter, Last Quarter, and gibbous phases. During the full moon it is seen only at night.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth is positioned between the Sun and Moon, so the Moon enters Earth's shadow. It only happens during a full moon, and ranges from partial to total. During a total eclipse the Moon turns dark red — the "blood moon" — caused by sunlight scattering through Earth's atmosphere.

This is called "tidal locking": the Moon's rotation period (27.3 days) equals its orbital period around Earth. As a result the same hemisphere always faces Earth, while the opposite side is called the "far side" and was first photographed in 1959 by Soviet probe Luna 3.

Moon gravity pulls ocean water, causing a bulge on the Moon-facing side (high tide) and another on the opposite side due to inertia. Between them are low tides. Roughly two highs and two lows occur daily. When Moon aligns with the Sun (new or full moon), tides reach maximum — "spring tides".

Limited scientific studies suggest some people experience sleep about 20–30 minutes shorter during full moon nights, possibly due to increased sky brightness. The effect is small and varies between individuals; there is no conclusive evidence that the Moon affects mood or behavior generally.

When the Moon is near the horizon, its light passes through a thicker slice of atmosphere. Blue wavelengths scatter away, leaving red and yellow to reach the eye. This is the same effect that colors sunrise and sunset. Once high in the sky the Moon returns to its silvery-white color.

Blue Moon: the second full moon in the same Gregorian month; occurs about every 2.7 years (it is not actually blue). Supermoon: a full moon coinciding with the Moon's closest point to Earth (perigee), making it appear ~14% larger and ~30% brighter than an average full moon.