Date
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
New Moon August 2026
The New Moon in August 2026 occurs on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 19:37 CEST and stands in the zodiac sign of Leo ♌. Perseids meteor shower peak — ideal darkness
New Moon August 2026 — All Details
Time
19:37 CEST
Zodiac Sign
Leo ♌
Cosmic Hint
Perseids meteor shower peak — ideal darkness
New Moon August 2026: Highlights and Observation
What makes this New Moon special
This New Moon is a supermoon: at the moment of the phase on August 12, 2026, the Moon is only about 367,000 km from Earth, well below the mean distance of 384,400 km. By the 90 percent rule (distance within the closest 10 percent of its orbit, perigee of this orbit about 363,000 km) it qualifies as a supermoon. In 2026 it is the 5th closest of 12 New Moons; it is about 7,000 km farther away than the New Moon of July (360,000 km) and about 10,000 km closer than the one of September (377,000 km). A New Moon near perigee is invisible itself, but it noticeably strengthens the spring tides along the coasts.
Observing from London
On the New Moon day, August 12, the Moon rises in London at 04:58 BST and sets at 20:39, almost in step with the Sun, which is why it stays invisible. The night is moonless: dark window from sunset at 20:30 to sunrise at 05:42 (about 9.2 hours). Other locations in the UK differ by a few minutes.
Meteor showers and eclipses
The Perseids peak (August 12–13) is exactly on the night of the peak: ideal dark-sky conditions, the moonless sky reveals even faint meteors. This New Moon coincides with a total solar eclipse (partial across most of Europe).
Stargazing & Dark Skies
Deep Sky Observation
Around New Moon, the night sky is at its darkest. Weak celestial objects such as distant galaxies, star clusters, and faint nebulae are best observed now without light pollution from the moon.
Starry Night
Perfect timing for milky way photography or deep space astrophotography. A clear sky combined with a new moon delivers outstanding celestial clarity.
Tip for August 2026
A perfect match: the Perseid maximum plus a moonless sky — face northeast from 10 pm at a dark site.
Frequently Asked Questions about New Moon August 2026
When is the New Moon in August 2026?
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at exactly 19:37 CEST. The exact local time details can be planned in the live calendar view.
In which zodiac sign is the New Moon of August 2026?
The New Moon stands in the sign of Leo ♌.
Why is a New Moon good for stargazing?
Without moonlight, the night sky is significantly darker. Faint deep-space objects like nebulae and galaxies are much easier to see. Moonlight can wash out thousands of stars that are visible during a new moon.
What is worth observing during the August 2026 New Moon?
A perfect match: the Perseid maximum plus a moonless sky — face northeast from 10 pm at a dark site.
How far away is the Moon at the August 2026 New Moon?
This New Moon is a supermoon: at the moment of the phase on August 12, 2026, the Moon is only about 367,000 km from Earth, well below the mean distance of 384,400 km. By the 90 percent rule (distance within the closest 10 percent of its orbit, perigee of this orbit about 363,000 km) it qualifies as a supermoon. In 2026 it is the 5th closest of 12 New Moons; it is about 7,000 km farther away than the New Moon of July (360,000 km) and about 10,000 km closer than the one of September (377,000 km). A New Moon near perigee is invisible itself, but it noticeably strengthens the spring tides along the coasts.
Can I see meteors around the New Moon of August 2026?
The Perseids peak (August 12–13) is exactly on the night of the peak: ideal dark-sky conditions, the moonless sky reveals even faint meteors.