Date
Wednesday, December 9, 2026
New Moon December 2026
The New Moon in December 2026 occurs on Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 01:52 CET and stands in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius ♐. Longest nights of the year
New Moon December 2026 — All Details
Time
01:52 CET
Zodiac Sign
Sagittarius ♐
Cosmic Hint
Longest nights of the year
New Moon December 2026: Highlights and Observation
What makes this New Moon special
This New Moon is a micromoon: on December 9, 2026 the Moon is about 405,000 km away, close to the farthest point of its orbit (apogee of this orbit about 406,000 km). That makes it the 12th closest, i.e. one of the most distant New Moons of 2026; the New Moon of November (398,000 km) was about 7,000 km closer.
Observing from London
On the New Moon day, December 9, the Moon rises in London at 08:53 GMT and sets at 15:42, almost in step with the Sun, which is why it stays invisible. The night is moonless: dark window from sunset at 15:52 to sunrise at 07:54 (about 16 hours). Other locations in the UK differ by a few minutes.
Meteor showers and eclipses
The Geminids peak (December 13–14) is 5 days from the peak: ideal dark-sky conditions, the moonless sky reveals even faint meteors.
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 December 2026
The longest nights of the year: up to 14 hours of darkness for the winter Milky Way, the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula.
Frequently Asked Questions about New Moon December 2026
When is the New Moon in December 2026?
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at exactly 01:52 CET. The exact local time details can be planned in the live calendar view.
In which zodiac sign is the New Moon of December 2026?
The New Moon stands in the sign of Sagittarius ♐.
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 December 2026 New Moon?
The longest nights of the year: up to 14 hours of darkness for the winter Milky Way, the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula.
How far away is the Moon at the December 2026 New Moon?
This New Moon is a micromoon: on December 9, 2026 the Moon is about 405,000 km away, close to the farthest point of its orbit (apogee of this orbit about 406,000 km). That makes it the 12th closest, i.e. one of the most distant New Moons of 2026; the New Moon of November (398,000 km) was about 7,000 km closer.
Can I see meteors around the New Moon of December 2026?
The Geminids peak (December 13–14) is 5 days from the peak: ideal dark-sky conditions, the moonless sky reveals even faint meteors.