Moon phases › First quarter
First quarter
Exactly half the disc is lit, the right half from the Northern Hemisphere. It is called a quarter because the Moon is a quarter of the way around its orbit.
Today: waning gibbous, 64% lit. The next first quarter is Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 6:48 AM ET (2026-11-17 11:48 UTC).
Live Moon phase · As of Sat, Oct 31, 2026, 11:15 AM ET
Next first quarter dates
| Exact time (Eastern) | UTC |
|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 6:48 AM ET | |
| Thu, Dec 17, 2026, 12:43 AM ET | |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027, 3:35 PM ET |
When to see it
Rises around noon, highest at sunset, sets around midnight. The best phase for a small telescope: craters along the terminator, the line between light and dark, throw long shadows. It is high in the south at sunset.
Illumination: 50%. The first quarter is an instant, when the Moon is 90° from the Sun; it looks this way for about a day around it.
First quarter meaning in astrology
Astrologers see the first quarter as a crisis of action: the Sun and Moon are square (90° apart), and obstacles call for a decision or a change of course.
Born at the first quarter, you are associated with action and decision: someone who thrives on challenge and clears away what is in the way.
All 8 Moon phases · Full Moon calendar · New Moon calendar · Moon phase data 1950–2050 (CSV)
Frequently asked questions
What is a first quarter?
Exactly half the disc is lit, the right half from the Northern Hemisphere. It is called a quarter because the Moon is a quarter of the way around its orbit. Illumination: 50%.
When is the next first quarter?
The next first quarter is Tue, Nov 17, 2026, 6:48 AM ET (2026-11-17 11:48 UTC).
When does a first quarter rise and set?
Rises around noon, highest at sunset, sets around midnight. The best phase for a small telescope: craters along the terminator, the line between light and dark, throw long shadows. It is high in the south at sunset.
What does a first quarter mean in astrology?
Astrologers see the first quarter as a crisis of action: the Sun and Moon are square (90° apart), and obstacles call for a decision or a change of course. Born at the first quarter, you are associated with action and decision: someone who thrives on challenge and clears away what is in the way.
What comes before and after a first quarter?
Waxing crescent comes before it and waxing gibbous after it.
Astrology is a symbolic and cultural tradition. The planetary positions on this site are calculated with astronomical accuracy; the interpretations describe what astrologers associate with them and are not scientifically validated predictions about personality, relationships or the future.