Moon in 1981: Lunar Calendar of New and Full Moons, Moon Phases & Eclipses)
In 1981 there were 13 new moons and 12 full moons. The year had rare Winter Seasonal Blue Moon, two lunar eclipses, and two solar eclipses.
All times and dates are in the United States Eastern Time Zone, adjusted for Daylight Savings Time for part of the year. The dates in your local time may shift.
The four primary lunar phases are the new moon, the first quarter, the full moon, and the last quarter. The lunar month last approximately a month or 29.53 days on average, also called a synodic month.
A new moon is the first lunar phase. You may be able to see a hint of it of it in the night sky. A full moon occurs when the Earth is directly between the Sun and the Moon, allowing the moon to appear illuminated entirely. The first quarter moon occurs between the new moon and the full moon, and the last quarter moon occurs after the full moon and before the next new moon.
Full and New Moons in 1981
In 1981, there were 13 new moons and 12 full moons. January had a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse and an Annular Solar Eclipse. July had both a Partial Lunar Eclipse and a Total Solar Eclipse in July.
There was a Black Moon in July with a second new moon at the end of the month. The year had a rare Winter Seasonal Blue Moon, the only way February will ever have one.
Winter Seasonal Blue Moons are extremely rare because the season is the shortest of the four. For all four moons to fit within the season, the December Full Moon in the previous year has to peak a few hours after the Winter Solstice.
The dates and times of the full and new moons were:
- Tuesday, January 6, 2:24 a.m. — New Wolf Moon The January New Moon was the first new moon of Winter and the New Moon in Capricorn.
- Tuesday, January 20, 2:39 a.m. — Full Wolf Moon The January Full Moon was the second full moon of Winter and the Full Moon in Cancer.
- Wednesday, February 4, 5:14 p.m. — New Snow Moon The February New Moon was the second new moon of Winter and the New Moon in Aquarius.
- Wednesday, February 18, 5:58 p.m. — Full Snow Moon The February Full Moon was the third full moon of Winter and the Full Moon in Leo.
- Friday, March 6, 5:31 a.m. — New Worm Moon The March New Moon was the last new moon of Winter and the New Moon in Pisces.
- Friday, March 20, 10:22 a.m. — Full Worm Moon The March Full Moon was the last full moon of Winter and the Full Moon in Virgo.
- Saturday, April 4, 3:19 p.m. — New Pink Moon The April New Moon was the first new moon of Spring and the New Moon in Aries.
- Sunday, April 19, 2:59 a.m. — Full Pink Moon The April Full Moon was the first full moon of Spring and the Full Moon in Libra.
- Monday, May 4, 12:19 a.m. — New Flower Moon The May New Moon was the second new moon of Spring and the New Moon in Taurus.
- Monday, May 18, 8:04 p.m. — Full Flower Moon The May Full Moon was the second full moon of Spring and the Full Moon in Scorpio.
- Tuesday, June 2, 7:32 a.m. — New Strawberry Moon The June New Moon was the last new moon of Spring and the New Moon in Gemini.
- Wednesday, June 17, 11:05 a.m. — Full Strawberry Moon The June Full Moon was the last full moon of Spring and the Full Moon in Sagittarius.
- Wednesday, July 1, 3:03 p.m. — New Buck Moon The July New Moon was the first new moon of Summer and the New Moon in Cancer.
- Friday, July 17, 12:39 a.m. — Full Buck Moon The July Full Moon was the first full moon of Summer and the Full Moon in Capricorn.
- Thursday, July 30, 11:52 p.m. — New Sturgeon Moon The July Black Moon was the second new moon of Summer and the New Moon in Leo.
- Saturday, August 15, 12:37 p.m. — Full Sturgeon Moon The August Full Moon was the second full moon of Summer and the Full Moon in Aquarius.
- Saturday, August 29, 10:44 a.m. — New Harvest Moon The August New Moon was the last new moon of Summer and the New Moon in Virgo.
- Sunday, September 13, 11:09 p.m. — Full Harvest Moon The September Full Moon was the last full moon of Summer and the Full Moon in Pisces.
- Monday, September 28, 12:07 a.m. — New Hunter’s Moon The September New Moon was the first new moon of Autumn and the New Moon in Libra.
- Tuesday, October 13, 8:49 a.m. — Super Hunter’s Moon The October Full Moon was the first full moon of Autumn and the Full Moon in Aries.
- Tuesday, October 27, 3:13 p.m. — New Beaver Moon The October New Moon was the second new moon of Autumn and the New Moon in Scorpio.
- Wednesday, November 11, 5:26 p.m. — Super Beaver Moon The November Full Moon was the second full moon of Autumn and the Full Moon in Taurus.
- Thursday, November 26, 9:38 a.m. — New Cold Moon The November New Moon was the last new moon of Autumn and the New Moon in Sagittarius.
- Friday, December 11, 3:41 a.m. — Super Cold Moon The December Full Moon was the last full moon of Autumn and the Full Moon in Gemini.
- Saturday, December 26, 5:10 a.m. — New Wolf Moon The December New Moon was the first new moon of Winter and the New Moon in Capricorn.
Moon Signs in 1981
The moon signs of the new and full moons in 1981 were:
- New Moon in Capricorn 1981: Tuesday, January 6 at 2:24 a.m.
- Full Moon in Cancer 1981: Tuesday, January 20 at 2:39 a.m.
- New Moon in Aquarius 1981: Wednesday, February 4 at 5:14 p.m.
- Full Moon in Leo 1981: Wednesday, February 18 at 5:58 p.m.
- New Moon in Pisces 1981: Friday, March 6 at 5:31 a.m.
- Full Moon in Virgo 1981: Friday, March 20 at 10:22 a.m.
- New Moon in Aries 1981: Saturday, April 4 at 3:19 p.m.
- Full Moon in Libra 1981: Sunday, April 19 at 2:59 a.m.
- New Moon in Taurus 1981: Monday, May 4 at 12:19 a.m.
- Full Moon in Scorpio 1981: Monday, May 18 at 8:04 p.m.
- New Moon in Gemini 1981: Tuesday, June 2 at 7:32 a.m.
- Full Moon in Sagittarius 1981: Wednesday, June 17 at 11:05 a.m.
- New Moon in Cancer 1981: Wednesday, July 1 at 3:03 p.m.
- Full Moon in Capricorn 1981: Friday, July 17 at 12:39 a.m.
- New Moon in Leo 1981: Thursday, July 30 at 11:52 p.m.
- Full Moon in Aquarius 1981: Saturday, August 15 at 12:37 p.m.
- New Moon in Virgo 1981: Saturday, August 29 at 10:44 a.m.
- Full Moon in Pisces 1981: Sunday, September 13 at 11:09 p.m.
- New Moon in Libra 1981: Monday, September 28 at 12:07 a.m.
- Full Moon in Aries 1981: Tuesday, October 13 at 8:49 a.m.
- New Moon in Scorpio 1981: Tuesday, October 27 at 3:13 p.m.
- Full Moon in Taurus 1981: Wednesday, November 11 at 5:26 p.m.
- New Moon in Sagittarius 1981: Thursday, November 26 at 9:38 a.m.
- Full Moon in Gemini 1981: Friday, December 11 at 3:41 a.m.
- New Moon in Capricorn 1981: Saturday, December 26 at 5:10 a.m.
Lunar Calendar
The lunar calendar of each moon in 1981 were:
| Lunar Caledar | New Moon | First Quarter | Full Moon | Last Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf Moon 1981 | Tue, January 6, 2:24 a.m. | Tue, January 13, 5:10 a.m. | Tue, January 20, 2:39 a.m. | Tue, January 27, 11:19 p.m. |
| Snow Moon 1981 | Wed, February 4, 5:14 p.m. | Wed, February 11, 12:49 p.m. | Wed, February 18, 5:58 p.m. | Thu, February 26, 8:14 p.m. |
| Worm Moon 1981 | Fri, March 6, 5:31 a.m. | Thu, March 12, 8:50 p.m. | Fri, March 20, 10:22 a.m. | Sat, March 28, 2:34 p.m. |
| Pink Moon 1981 | Sat, April 4, 3:19 p.m. | Sat, April 11, 6:11 a.m. | Sun, April 19, 2:59 a.m. | Mon, April 27, 6:15 a.m. |
| Flower Moon 1981 | Mon, May 4, 12:19 a.m. | Sun, May 10, 6:22 p.m. | Mon, May 18, 8:04 p.m. | Tue, May 26, 5:00 p.m. |
| Strawberry Moon 1981 | Tue, June 2, 7:32 a.m. | Tue, June 9, 7:33 a.m. | Wed, June 17, 11:05 a.m. | Thu, June 25, 12:25 a.m. |
| Buck Moon 1981 | Wed, July 1, 3:03 p.m. | Wed, July 8, 10:40 p.m. | Fri, July 17, 12:39 a.m. | Fri, July 24, 5:40 a.m. |
| Sturgeon Moon 1981 | Thu, July 30, 11:52 p.m. | Fri, August 7, 3:26 p.m. | Sat, August 15, 12:37 p.m. | Sat, August 22, 10:16 a.m. |
| Harvest Moon 1981 | Sat, August 29, 10:44 a.m. | Sun, September 6, 9:26 a.m. | Sun, September 13, 11:09 p.m. | Sun, September 20, 3:48 p.m. |
| Hunter’s Moon 1981 | Mon, September 28, 12:07 a.m. | Tue, October 6, 3:45 a.m. | Tue, October 13, 8:49 a.m. | Mon, October 19, 11:41 p.m. |
| Beaver Moon 1981 | Tue, October 27, 3:13 p.m. | Wed, November 4, 8:09 p.m. | Wed, November 11, 5:26 p.m. | Wed, November 18, 9:54 a.m. |
| Cold Moon 1981 | Thu, November 26, 9:38 a.m. | Fri, December 4, 11:22 a.m. | Fri, December 11, 3:41 a.m. | Fri, December 18, 12:47 a.m. |
Moon Phases
Each month, there are typically four moon phases; occasionally, the calendar aligns to have five.
The moon phases in 1981 were:
| Date & Time | Moon Phase | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 6, 1981 2:24 a.m. | New Moon | Winter |
| Tuesday, January 13, 1981 5:10 a.m. | First Quarter | Winter |
| Tuesday, January 20, 1981 2:39 a.m. | Full Moon | Winter |
| Tuesday, January 27, 1981 11:19 p.m. | Last Quarter | Winter |
| Wednesday, February 4, 1981 5:14 p.m. | New Moon | Winter |
| Wednesday, February 11, 1981 12:49 p.m. | First Quarter | Winter |
| Wednesday, February 18, 1981 5:58 p.m. | Full Moon | Winter |
| Thursday, February 26, 1981 8:14 p.m. | Last Quarter | Winter |
| Friday, March 6, 1981 5:31 a.m. | New Moon | Winter |
| Thursday, March 12, 1981 8:50 p.m. | First Quarter | Winter |
| Friday, March 20, 1981 10:22 a.m. | Full Moon | Winter |
| Saturday, March 28, 1981 2:34 p.m. | Last Quarter | Spring |
| Saturday, April 4, 1981 3:19 p.m. | New Moon | Spring |
| Saturday, April 11, 1981 6:11 a.m. | First Quarter | Spring |
| Sunday, April 19, 1981 2:59 a.m. | Full Moon | Spring |
| Monday, April 27, 1981 6:15 a.m. | Last Quarter | Spring |
| Monday, May 4, 1981 12:19 a.m. | New Moon | Spring |
| Sunday, May 10, 1981 6:22 p.m. | First Quarter | Spring |
| Monday, May 18, 1981 8:04 p.m. | Full Moon | Spring |
| Tuesday, May 26, 1981 5:00 p.m. | Last Quarter | Spring |
| Tuesday, June 2, 1981 7:32 a.m. | New Moon | Spring |
| Tuesday, June 9, 1981 7:33 a.m. | First Quarter | Spring |
| Wednesday, June 17, 1981 11:05 a.m. | Full Moon | Spring |
| Thursday, June 25, 1981 12:25 a.m. | Last Quarter | Summer |
| Wednesday, July 1, 1981 3:03 p.m. | New Moon | Summer |
| Wednesday, July 8, 1981 10:40 p.m. | First Quarter | Summer |
| Friday, July 17, 1981 12:39 a.m. | Full Moon | Summer |
| Friday, July 24, 1981 5:40 a.m. | Last Quarter | Summer |
| Thursday, July 30, 1981 11:52 p.m. | New Moon | Summer |
| Friday, August 7, 1981 3:26 p.m. | First Quarter | Summer |
| Saturday, August 15, 1981 12:37 p.m. | Full Moon | Summer |
| Saturday, August 22, 1981 10:16 a.m. | Last Quarter | Summer |
| Saturday, August 29, 1981 10:44 a.m. | New Moon | Summer |
| Sunday, September 6, 1981 9:26 a.m. | First Quarter | Summer |
| Sunday, September 13, 1981 11:09 p.m. | Full Moon | Summer |
| Sunday, September 20, 1981 3:48 p.m. | Last Quarter | Summer |
| Monday, September 28, 1981 12:07 a.m. | New Moon | Autumn |
| Tuesday, October 6, 1981 3:45 a.m. | First Quarter | Autumn |
| Tuesday, October 13, 1981 8:49 a.m. | Full Moon | Autumn |
| Monday, October 19, 1981 11:41 p.m. | Last Quarter | Autumn |
| Tuesday, October 27, 1981 3:13 p.m. | New Moon | Autumn |
| Wednesday, November 4, 1981 8:09 p.m. | First Quarter | Autumn |
| Wednesday, November 11, 1981 5:26 p.m. | Full Moon | Autumn |
| Wednesday, November 18, 1981 9:54 a.m. | Last Quarter | Autumn |
| Thursday, November 26, 1981 9:38 a.m. | New Moon | Autumn |
| Friday, December 4, 1981 11:22 a.m. | First Quarter | Autumn |
| Friday, December 11, 1981 3:41 a.m. | Full Moon | Autumn |
| Friday, December 18, 1981 12:47 a.m. | Last Quarter | Autumn |
| Saturday, December 26, 1981 5:10 a.m. | New Moon | Winter |
Sources
The dates and times provided by NASA are set to United States Eastern Time and adjusted for Daylight Saving Time for part of the year. Since you may be in a different time zone, the exact dates may shift for your calendar.