If you’re stepping outside tonight and craning your neck toward the horizon, hoping to catch that first shimmering silver thread of a new month, I’ve got some news for you. Honestly, you can put the binoculars away for a bit. Has the new moon been sighted today? The short answer is no, and for a very good reason: physically, it’s just not there to be seen yet.
As of today, Thursday, January 15, 2026, the moon is actually in its "waning crescent" phase. That's the part of the cycle where it's disappearing, not starting fresh. It’s roughly 26 days old and only about 10% illuminated. Instead of being a "new moon" that marks the start of a lunar month, it’s the ghost of the old one, hanging out near the star Antares in the early morning sky before sunrise.
If you’re following the Islamic calendar (the Hijri year 1447), we are currently in the month of Rajab. Specifically, today is the 25th of Rajab. Since lunar months usually last 29 or 30 days, the search for the next crescent—the Hilal for the month of Sha’ban—won't even begin until early next week.
The Science of Why You Can't See It
It's kinda wild how the moon plays hide and seek. To have a "sighting," you need the moon to move past the sun in what astronomers call a conjunction. Think of it like a race where the moon has to "reset" its position.
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The official New Moon (the astronomical conjunction where the moon is at 0% illumination) isn't scheduled to happen until Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 19:52 UTC.
Before that moment, the moon is basically invisible or only visible as a very thin "Waning Crescent" in the pre-dawn hours. To see a "New Moon" in the sense of a religious or calendar-starting event, you have to wait for the Waxing Crescent to appear after sunset. That won't happen for another few days.
When will the actual sighting happen?
Because the conjunction is late on the 18th, most of the world won't see a thing that evening. According to data from the Central Hilal Committee and Wifaqul Ulama, the real search parties are going to be out on Monday, January 19, 2026.
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- January 18: The moon is born, but it’s too young, too low, and too close to the sun's glare to be seen with the naked eye in most places.
- January 19: This is the big day. By sunset on Monday, the moon will be roughly 24 hours old. That’s usually the "sweet spot" where a sharp-eyed observer can spot it.
Why Do People Get Confused?
It happens every month. You see a headline or a calendar notification and think, "Wait, is today the day?"
Part of the confusion comes from the difference between the astronomical new moon and the visible crescent. Astronomers call the moment of 0% light the "New Moon." But for people timing festivals, Ramadan, or months, the "New Moon" doesn't "count" until someone actually sees it.
Weather plays a huge role too. You might have the moon perfectly positioned, but if there's a thick layer of clouds or heavy smog, the sighting gets pushed to the next day. This is why you’ll often see different countries starting their months on different days. It’s not a mistake; it’s just local visibility.
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What to Look For Next Week
If you want to try your hand at being a "Crescent Chaser," mark your calendar for next Monday evening. You won't need a high-tech observatory, but a few tips help:
Look toward the West right after the sun goes down. You’re looking for a sliver so thin it almost looks like a stray hair. It stays visible for a very short time—usually 20 to 40 minutes—before it follows the sun below the horizon.
Actionable Next Steps for Lunar Tracking
If you are trying to keep track of the lunar months for religious reasons or just for a hobby, here is what you should do right now:
- Check the morning sky tomorrow: If you are an early riser, look Southeast about 45 minutes before sunrise. You’ll see that 10% sliver of the old moon near the constellation Scorpius.
- Ignore the "New Moon" alerts on January 18: Remember that "New Moon" on your digital calendar usually means the dark moon. You won't see anything in the sky that night.
- Prepare for January 19: This is the day to look. If you have a clear view of the western horizon, that's your best shot at seeing the start of the new lunar cycle.
- Follow official committees: For final confirmation of the month of Sha'ban 1447, keep an eye on the Central Hilal Committee of North America or your local regional sighting authority on Monday night.
The moon is currently finishing its old journey. Give it a few more days to reset, and you'll see it back in the evening sky soon enough.