Ethan Carter
The brightness of the Moon increases each night. Its illuminated portion expands on the right side (or the left side if you’re observing from the Southern Hemisphere) as it progresses through the Waxing Crescent phase of its lunar cycle.
What is the Current Moon Phase Today?
As of Wednesday, August 19, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide indicates that the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 42% of its surface illuminated and visible from Earth.
Tonight, without any optical aids, look for the lunar maria: Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquillitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis. If you use binoculars, you can also spot the Endymion Crater, Posidonus Crater, and Mare Nectaris. A telescope will enhance your view, allowing you to locate the Apollo 17 and Apollo 16 landing sites, along with the Rupes Altai feature.
When Will the Next Full Moon Occur?
The next Full Moon is scheduled to rise on August 28.
What Exactly Are the Phases of the Moon?
The Moon undergoes several distinct phases that alter its appearance as viewed from Earth. As it orbits our planet, the Moon completes a lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. The relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon dictate how much of the Moon’s illuminated side we can see from our vantage point, resulting in its various phases. Over the course of the cycle, the Moon transforms from a thin crescent to a half-Moon, reaches a Full Moon, and then begins the cycle anew.
The eight recognized phases of the Moon are as follows:
Mashable Light Speed
New Moon – The Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, making its illuminated side invisible from our perspective.
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light becomes visible on the right side (for observers in the Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon’s surface is illuminated on the right side, resembling a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half of the Moon is illuminated, yet it has not reached full brightness.
Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is fully illuminated and visible.
Waning Gibbous – The illumination on the right side diminishes as the Moon transitions away from full brightness (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Again, a half-Moon appears, but this time the left side is illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side, gradually leading back to the New Moon phase.
Daniel Mercer
David Bridges
