2016 New Moons: Calendar of 13 new moons
The New Moons 2016 Calendar had 13 new moons, 2 new supermoons, and 2 solar eclipses. Below is an overview of the dates to help you look back at the past.
A new moon is the first lunar phase that happens about once a month or 29.53 days on average. The moon itself is not visible, though you may be able to “see” it because it blocks the visibility of the stars behind it.
Typically there are 12 new moons each year, and 2016 had an additional new moon compared to other years.
The dates and times provided by NASA in the United States Eastern Time (ET) account for both Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) for part of the year in the United States. Also below is the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) time. This was previously referred to as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Since you may be in a different time zone, the exact dates may shift slightly for your calendar.
When were the new moons in 2016?
The signs and dates of the new moons in 2016 were:
- January 9, 2016: new moon in Capricorn
- February 8, 2016: new moon in Aquarius
- March 8, 2016: new moon in Pisces
- April 7, 2016: new moon in Aries
- May 6, 2016: new moon in Taurus
- June 4, 2016: new moon in Gemini
- July 4, 2016: new moon in Cancer
- August 2, 2016: new moon in Leo
- September 1, 2016: new moon in Virgo
- September 30, 2016: new moon in Libra
- October 30, 2016: new moon in Scorpio
- November 29, 2016: new moon in Sagittarius
- December 29, 2016: new moon in Capricorn
The calendar aligned such that the year started and ended with new moons in Capricorn, in different years.
2016 New Moon Calendar
2016 started off with its first new moon in early January setting up the year to have 13 new moons during the year. Here’s a quick summary of the dates of each of the new moons and how they fit into each season.
| New Moon | New Moon Name | US Eastern Time | UTC Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 9, 2016 | New Wolf Moon | 8:30 PM EST | 1:30 AM UTC (January 10, 2016) |
| February 8, 2016 | New Snow Moon | 9:39 AM EST | 2:39 PM UTC |
| March 8, 2016 | New Worm Moon | 8:54 PM EST | 1:54 AM UTC (March 9, 2016) |
| April 7, 2016 | New Pink Moon | 7:24 AM EDT | 11:24 AM UTC |
| May 6, 2016 | New Flower Moon | 3:30 PM EDT | 7:30 PM UTC |
| June 4, 2016 | New Strawberry Moon | 11:00 PM EDT | 3:00 AM UTC (June 5, 2016) |
| July 4, 2016 | New Buck Moon | 7:01 AM EDT | 11:01 AM UTC |
| August 2, 2016 | New Sturgeon Moon | 4:45 PM EDT | 8:45 PM UTC |
| September 1, 2016 | New Harvest Moon | 5:03 AM EDT | 9:03 AM UTC |
| September 30, 2016 | New Hunter’s Moon | 8:12 PM EDT | 12:12 AM UTC (October 1, 2016) |
| October 30, 2016 | New Beaver Moon | 1:38 PM EDT | 5:38 PM UTC |
| November 29, 2016 | New Cold Moon | 7:18 AM EST | 12:18 PM UTC |
| December 29, 2016 | New Wolf Moon | 1:53 AM EST | 6:53 AM UTC |
For most of 2016, the new moon and full moon for a lunar cycle occurred in the same month, creating a name match.
The first September new moon is called the New Harvest Moon because the September Full Moon was closer to the Autumn Equinox than the October Full Moon.
January 9, 2016: New Moon in Capricorn
The January 2016 new moon was on Saturday January 9, 2016. The first 2016 new moon was called the New Wolf Moon and was the new moon in Capricorn. The January 9th new moon was the first new moon of the Winter 2015-2016 season as the first new moon after the 2015 Winter Solstice.
February 8, 2016: New Moon in Aquarius
The February 2016 new moon was on Monday February 8, 2016. The new moon in 2016 was called the New Snow Moon and was the new moon in Aquarius. The February 8th ew moon was the second new moon of Winter 2015-2016 as the second new moon after the 2015 Winter Solstice.
March 8, 2016 (March 9 UTC): New Moon in Pisces
The March 2016 new moon was on Tuesday March 8, 2016. The third 2016 new moon was called the New Worm Moon and was the new moon in Pisces. The March 8th New Moon was the third and last new moon of Winter 2015-2016 as it occurred before the Spring Equinox. There was a total solar eclipse during the March new moon in 2016.
April 7, 2016: New Moon in Aries
The April 2016 new moon was on Thursday April 7, 2016. The fourth new moon in 2016 was called the New Pink Moon and was the new moon in Aries. The April 7th new moon was the first new moon of Spring as the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. The April New Moon was the first of 2 new supermoons for 2016.
May 6, 2016: New Moon in Taurus
The May 2016 new moon was on Friday May 6, 2016. The fifth 2016 new moon was called the New Flower Moon and was the new moon in Taurus. The May 6th new moon was the second Spring new moon as the second new moon after the Vernal Equinox. The May New Moon was the second of two new supermoons in 2016.
June 4, 2016: New Moon in Gemini
The June 2016 new moon was on Saturday June 4, 2016. The sixth new moon of 2016 was called the New Strawberry Moon and was the new moon in Gemini. The June 4th new moon was the last new moon of Spring as it occurred before the Summer Solstice. Summer began on June 20 in 2016.
July 4, 2016: New Moon in Cancer
The July 2017 new moon was on Monday July 4, 2016. The seventh 2016 new moon was called the New Buck Moon and was the new moon in Cancer. The July 4th new moon was the first new moon of Summer as the first new moon after the Summer Solstice.
August 2, 2016: New Moon in Leo
The August 2016 new moon was on Tuesday August 2, 2016. The eighth new moon in 2016 was called the New Sturgeon Moon and was the new moon in Leo. The August 2nd new moon was the second Summer new moon as the second new moon after the Summer Solstice.
September 1, 2016: New Moon in Virgo
The September 2016 new moon was on Thursday September 1, 2016. The ninth 2016 new moon was called the New Harvest Moon and was the new moon in Virgo. The September 1st new moon was the third and last new moon of Summer as it occurred before the Autumnal Equinox. Autumn began on Thursday September 22, 2016. There was an annular solar eclipse during the September new moon in 2016.
September 30, 2016 (October 1 UTC): New Moon in Libra
The September 2016 Black Moon was on Friday September 30, 2016. The tenth new moon in 2016 was called the New Hunter’s Moon and was the new moon in Libra. The September 30th new moon was the first new moon of Fall as the first new moon after the Autumnal Equinox.
Depending on your time zone, the tenth new moon shifted the beginning of October, making the 2016 black moon the new moon at the end of October instead of September.
October 30, 2016: New Moon in Scorpio
The October 2016 new moon was on Sunday October 30, 2016. The eleventh 2016 new moon was called the New Beaver Moon and was the new moon in Scorpio. The October 30th new moon was the second Fall new moon as the second new moon after Autumnal Equinox.
November 29, 2016: New Moon in Sagittarius
The November 2016 new moon was on Tuesday November 29, 2016. The twelfth new moon of 2016 was called the New Cold Moon and was the new moon in Sagittarius. The November 29th new moon was the third and last new moon of Autumn as it occurred before the Winter Solstice.
December 29, 2016: New Moon in Capricorn
The December 2016 new moon was on Thursday December 29, 2016. The thirteenth and last 2016 new moon was called the New Wolf Moon and was the new moon in Capricorn 2016-2017. The December 29th new moon was the first Winter New Moon as the first new moon after the Winter 2016-2017 Solstice. Winter began on Wednesday December 21, 2016.
Was there a black moon in 2016?
Yes there was a black moon in 2016. Depending on your time zone, either September or October had 2 new moons
There are four potential definitions for a black moon, though all unofficial. As a result, it’s not rare to have a black moon in a year. It’s not possible to have all four in one year.
- A month with two new moons
- A month without a full moon, only a new moon
- A month without a new moon, only a full moon
- A season with four new moons, making the third a seasonal black moon
Because February has either 28 or 29 days, it’s the only calendar month that may not have both a new moon and a full moon in a given year.
New Moons By Season
Even though there were 13 new moons during 2016, each season had 3 new moons based on how the schedule worked out.
2016 Equinoxes and Solstices
The 2016 dates for the equinoxes and solstices were:
- Vernal Equinox (Spring): March 20, 2016 at 12:31 AM EDT or 6:03 PM UTC
- Summer Solstice: June 20, 2016 at 6:35 PM EDT or 11:35 PM UTC
- Autumnal Equinox: September 22, 2016 at 10:21 AM EDT or 3:21 PM UTC
- Winter Solstice: December 21, 2016 at 5:45 AM EST or 10:45 AM UTC
Spring 2016 New Moons
The spring season had 3 new moons with the first in April.
The first new moon after Spring Equinox 2016 was on Thursday April 7, 2016 at 7:24 AM EDT or 12:24 PM UTC. The first new moon of spring was also called the New Pink Moon and was the new moon in Aries.
The second new moon after the 2016 Spring Equinox was on Friday May 6, 2016 at 3:30 PM EDT or 8:30 PM UTC. The second Spring new moon was also called the New Flower Moon and was the new moon in Taurus.
The third new moon after the 2016 Spring Equinox was on Saturday June 4, 2016 at 11:00 PM EDT or June 5, 2016 at 4:00 AM UTC. The third and last Spring New Moon was called the New Strawberry Moon and was the new moon in Gemini.
Spring 2016 New Moons
Summer 2016 had 3 new moons with the first in June.
The first new moon after the Summer Solstice 2016 was on Monday July 4, 2016 at 7:01 AM EDT or 12:01 PM UTC. The first Summer New Moon was called the New Buck Moon and was the new moon in Cancer.
The second new moon after the 2016 Summer Solstice was on Tuesday August 2, 2016 at 4:45 PM EDT or 9:45 PM UTC. The second Summer New Moon was called the New Sturgeon Moon and was the new moon in Leo.
The third new moon after the 2016 Summer Solstice was on Thursday September 1, 2016 at 5:03 AM EDT or 10:03 AM UTC. The third and last Summer New Moon was called the New Harvest Moon and was the new moon in Virgo.
Autumn 2016 New Moons
Autumn had 3 new moons with the first in September.
The first new moon after the Autumnal Equinox 2016 was on Friday September 30, 2016 at 8:12 PM EDT or October 1, 2016 at 1:12 AM UTC. The first Autumn New Moon was called the New Hunter’s Moon and was the new moon in Libra.
The second new moon after the Autumnal Equinox 2016 was on Sunday October 30, 2016 at 12:38 PM EDT or 5:38 PM UTC. The second Autumn New Moon was called the New Beaver Moon and was the new moon in Scorpio.
The third new moon after the 2016 Autumnal Equinox was on Tuesday November 29, 2016 at 7:18 AM EST or 12:18 PM UTC. The third Autumn New Moon was called the New Cold Moon and was the new moon in Sagittarius.
Winter 2016-2017 New Moons
Winter had three new moons with the first in December after the Winter Solstice. And the rest of the new moons were in 2017.
The first new moon after the Winter Solstice 2016 was on Thursday December 29, 2016 at 1:53 AM EST or 6:53 AM UTC. The first Winter New Moon was be called the New Wolf Moon and was the new moon in Capricorn.
The second new moon after the 2016 Winter Solstice was on Friday January 27, 2017 at 7:07 PM EST or January 28, 2017 at 12:07 AM UTC. The second Winter New Moon was called the New Snow Moon and was the new moon in Aquarius.
The third new moon after the 2016 Winter Solstice was on Sunday February 26, 2017 at 9:58 AM EST or 2:58 PM UTC. The third Winter New Moon was called the New Worm Moon and was the new moon in Pisces.
2016 Moon Phases in Eastern Time (ET) and UTC
Below are the lunar phases for 2016 including the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter that were on the schedule for each month. The date and times are based on both the United States Eastern Time Zone and UTC, adjusted for daylight saving time.
| Lunar Phase | US Eastern Date & Time | UTC Date & Time |
|---|---|---|
| January Last Quarter | January 2, 2016 12:30 AM EST | January 2, 2016 5:30 AM UTC |
| January New Moon | January 9, 2016 8:30 PM EST | January 10, 2016 1:30 AM UTC |
| January First Quarter | January 16, 2016 6:26 PM EST | January 16, 2016 11:26 PM UTC |
| January Full Moon | January 23, 2016 8:46 PM EST | January 24, 2016 1:46 AM UTC |
| January Last Quarter | January 31, 2016 10:28 PM EST | February 1, 2016 3:28 AM UTC |
| February New Moon | February 8, 2016 9:39 AM EST | February 8, 2016 2:39 PM UTC |
| February First Quarter | February 15, 2016 2:46 AM EST | February 15, 2016 7:46 AM UTC |
| February Full Moon | February 22, 2016 1:20 PM EST | February 22, 2016 6:20 PM UTC |
| March Last Quarter | March 1, 2016 6:11 PM EST | March 1, 2016 11:11 PM UTC |
| March New Moon | March 8, 2016 8:54 PM EST | March 9, 2016 1:54 AM UTC |
| March First Quarter | March 15, 2016 1:03 PM EDT | March 15, 2016 5:03 PM UTC |
| March Full Moon | March 23, 2016 8:01 AM EDT | March 23, 2016 12:01 PM UTC |
| March Last Quarter | March 31, 2016 11:17 AM EDT | March 31, 2016 3:17 PM UTC |
| April New Moon | April 7, 2016 7:24 AM EDT | April 7, 2016 11:24 AM UTC |
| April First Quarter | April 13, 2016 11:59 PM EDT | April 14, 2016 3:59 AM UTC |
| April Full Moon | April 22, 2016 1:24 AM EDT | April 22, 2016 5:24 AM UTC |
| April Last Quarter | April 29, 2016 11:29 PM EDT | April 30, 2016 3:29 AM UTC |
| May New Moon | May 6, 2016 3:30 PM EDT | May 6, 2016 7:30 PM UTC |
| May First Quarter | May 13, 2016 1:02 PM EDT | May 13, 2016 5:02 PM UTC |
| May Full Moon | May 21, 2016 5:15 PM EDT | May 21, 2016 9:15 PM UTC |
| May Last Quarter | May 29, 2016 8:12 AM EDT | May 29, 2016 12:12 PM UTC |
| June New Moon | June 4, 2016 11:00 PM EDT | June 5, 2016 3:00 AM UTC |
| June First Quarter | June 12, 2016 4:10 AM EDT | June 12, 2016 8:10 AM UTC |
| June Full Moon | June 20, 2016 7:02 AM EDT | June 20, 2016 11:02 AM UTC |
| June Last Quarter | June 27, 2016 2:19 PM EDT | June 27, 2016 6:19 PM UTC |
| July New Moon | July 4, 2016 7:01 AM EDT | July 4, 2016 11:01 AM UTC |
| July First Quarter | July 11, 2016 8:52 PM EDT | July 12, 2016 12:52 AM UTC |
| July Full Moon | July 19, 2016 6:57 PM EDT | July 19, 2016 10:57 PM UTC |
| July Last Quarter | July 26, 2016 7:00 PM EDT | July 26, 2016 11:00 PM UTC |
| August New Moon | August 2, 2016 4:45 PM EDT | August 2, 2016 8:45 PM UTC |
| August First Quarter | August 10, 2016 2:21 PM EDT | August 10, 2016 6:21 PM UTC |
| August Full Moon | August 18, 2016 5:27 AM EDT | August 18, 2016 9:27 AM UTC |
| August Last Quarter | August 24, 2016 11:41 PM EDT | August 25, 2016 3:41 AM UTC |
| September New Moon | September 1, 2016 5:03 AM EDT | September 1, 2016 9:03 AM UTC |
| September First Quarter | September 9, 2016 7:49 AM EDT | September 9, 2016 11:49 AM UTC |
| September Full Moon | September 16, 2016 3:05 PM EDT | September 16, 2016 7:05 PM UTC |
| September Last Quarter | September 23, 2016 5:56 AM EDT | September 23, 2016 9:56 AM UTC |
| September New Moon | September 30, 2016 8:12 PM EDT | October 1, 2016 12:12 AM UTC |
| October First Quarter | October 9, 2016 12:33 AM EDT | October 9, 2016 4:33 AM UTC |
| October Full Moon | October 16, 2016 12:23 AM EDT | October 16, 2016 4:23 AM UTC |
| October Last Quarter | October 22, 2016 3:14 PM EDT | October 22, 2016 7:14 PM UTC |
| October New Moon | October 30, 2016 1:38 PM EDT | October 30, 2016 5:38 PM UTC |
| November First Quarter | November 7, 2016 2:51 PM EST | November 7, 2016 7:51 PM UTC |
| November Full Moon | November 14, 2016 8:52 AM EST | November 14, 2016 1:52 PM UTC |
| November Last Quarter | November 21, 2016 3:33 AM EST | November 21, 2016 8:33 AM UTC |
| November New Moon | November 29, 2016 7:18 AM EST | November 29, 2016 12:18 PM UTC |
| December First Quarter | December 7, 2016 4:03 AM EST | December 7, 2016 9:03 AM UTC |
| December Full Moon | December 13, 2016 7:05 PM EST | December 14, 2016 12:05 AM UTC |
| December Last Quarter | December 20, 2016 8:56 PM EST | December 21, 2016 1:56 AM UTC |
| December New Moon | December 29, 2016 1:53 AM EST | December 29, 2016 6:53 AM UTC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the 2016 New Moon Calendar to help you look back the year.
There were 13 new moons in 2016 with most months having one new moon each month of the year. There was a black moon in 2016 with two new moons in either September or October depending on your time zone.
