Moon Illumination Cycle Summer 2024. The cycle begins with the waxing (growing) crescent moon visible in the west just after sunset. There are four principle lunar phases in the western culture, known as the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and third quarter.

This phase is best viewed just before the sunrise in the western sky. With our 2024 moon phase calendar, you’ll find the current moon phase for tonight—plus, all the phases of the moon for each day of the month.