When to See the Jaw-Dropping Crescent Moon This Week

Topline It’s one of the most beautiful sky sights of all, but bad timing and clouds often mean the monthly sight of a crescent moon goes unnoticed. This week brings another chance, with a young moon low in the west-southwest at twilight from Monday, Jan. 19, and for the rest of the week, growing each night and glowing with “Earthshine” — sunlight reflected from Earth’s dayside. Here’s what to expect each night this week — as well as when and where to look. Timeline A Year Of Lunar Abundance 2026 will feature not 12, but 13 full moons — including three supermoons and one “blue moon.” January kicked things off with a dramatic wolf moon on Jan. 3, a supermoon, with the next full moon a snow moon on Feb. 1. Two full moons will grace May — on May 1 and May 31 — the latter earning the “blue moon” label. Supermoons, Eclipses And Lunar Conjunctions The moon will headline several of the year’s most significant celestial events. A total of two lunar eclipses will occur — a dramatic “blood moon” total lunar eclipse on Mar. 3 and a deep partial lunar eclipse on August 27-28. Two more supermoons are set for Nov. 24 and Dec. 23, with the latter the closest since 2019. Throughout the year, the moon will dance with planets in a series of stunning conjunctions — including Venus (Mar. 20), Jupiter (Oct. 6) and Mars (Nov. 2). Further Reading ForbesYour Ultimate Guide To Stargazing And Astronomy In 2026ForbesYour Full Moon Guide For 2026 — All 13 Dates For Your DiaryForbesA ‘Wolf Moon’ Rises With The ‘Seven Sisters:’ The New Year’s Night Sky