If you stepped outside tonight hoping to see a big, glowing lantern in the sky, you’re probably staring at a whole lot of nothing. It’s frustrating. You look up, the stars are out, but the main attraction is missing. Honestly, it’s because the moon is currently playing a game of hide-and-seek that it’s definitely winning.
What is up with moon tonight and where did it go?
Tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we are dealing with a Waning Crescent. But calling it a "crescent" is almost a stretch. It is only about 1.2% to 2% illuminated.
Think about that for a second.
That is a tiny, razor-thin sliver of light. In fact, it's so thin that unless you have a high-end telescope and a very clear horizon, you aren’t going to see it at all. We are basically on the doorstep of the New Moon, which officially hits tomorrow, January 18.
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The moon is currently tucked very close to the sun from our perspective on Earth. Because it’s rising just before the sun and setting shortly after it, the glare of the daylight completely washes out that tiny 1% of reflected light.
Timing is everything for the Waning Crescent
If you’re dead set on finding it, you’ve got a very narrow window.
For most of the US, the moon rose around 7:21 AM and will set near 3:23 PM. Notice a pattern? It’s up during the day. By the time the sky actually gets dark enough to see stars tonight, the moon has already dipped below the western horizon. It’s gone.
Why the sky feels different tonight
Since the moon isn’t around to light up the atmosphere, the sky is actually "purer." This is what astronomers call a dark sky night.
Without the lunar "light pollution," the stars look way punchier. If you’re in a rural area, the Milky Way might actually be visible because there’s no big white orb washing out the faint nebulae. It’s actually the best time for deep-sky photography or just getting lost in the constellations.
The planets are stealing the show
Since the moon is a no-show, your eyes should drift toward the other heavy hitters.
Jupiter is the undisputed king of the sky right now. It reached "opposition" just a week ago, which is fancy talk for being at its closest and brightest. You can’t miss it—it’s that brilliant, non-twinkling "star" hanging out in the constellation Gemini.
If you have a pair of basic bird-watching binoculars, try this:
- Point them at the brightest "star" in the east (that's Jupiter).
- Steady your hands against a fence or a car roof.
- Look for four tiny pinpricks of light in a line next to the planet.
Those are the Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. It’s wild to think that while our own moon is hiding, you can see four moons orbiting a planet 400 million miles away.
Saturn and its disappearing act
While Jupiter is rising high, Saturn is heading for the exit. You can catch it low in the west right after sunset. It’s got a golden hue, but it’s sinking lower every night as we get deeper into January. By the end of the month, it’ll be lost in the sun’s twilight, much like the moon is tonight.
What comes next for the lunar cycle?
Don’t worry, the moon isn't staying hidden forever.
The New Moon peaks tomorrow at 2:52 PM EST (19:52 UTC). This is the "reset" button for the lunar month. After tomorrow, the moon will move to the other side of the sun and become a Waxing Crescent.
By Monday or Tuesday evening, you’ll start to see a beautiful "fingernail" moon low in the western sky just after the sun goes down. That’s usually the most photogenic phase because of a phenomenon called Earthshine or "the old moon in the new moon’s arms."
Earthshine is when the dark part of the moon is faintly lit by sunlight reflecting off Earth's clouds and oceans. It gives the moon a ghostly, 3D appearance that looks incredible through a camera lens.
Actionable tips for tonight's sky
Since the moon is essentially a ghost tonight, don't waste time looking for it. Instead, lean into the darkness.
- Hunt for Meteors: The gamma Ursae Minorids are active right now. You won't see a "storm," but with no moonlight to interfere, you might catch a few slow-moving streaks coming from the direction of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) in the pre-dawn hours.
- Locate the Winter Hexagon: Use the dark sky to find the six brightest stars of winter: Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Capella, Aldebaran, and Rigel. They form a massive circle that dominates the southern sky this time of year.
- Check for Titan: If you have a telescope, Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, is positioned near the ringed planet tonight. It’s a tough spot, but the lack of moonlight makes it significantly easier to pick out its 8th-magnitude glow.
- Wait for the "Smile": Mark your calendar for January 20. That evening, the moon will be a 4% crescent, perfectly placed near the horizon for a sunset photo.
Tonight is about the stars and the planets. Let the moon have its night off; it’ll be back to light up your evening commute in just a couple of days.