Daniel Mercer
Tonight, the Moon shines brightly, illuminated over 50%, making it an ideal moment for Moon-gazing, weather permitting. If you’re unsure about what to observe, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide serves as an excellent tool to identify the names and locations of various lunar features. Continue reading to discover what you can expect to see this evening.
What Phase is the Moon in Tonight?
As of Saturday, August 22, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide indicates that the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, showcasing 70% of its surface.
With the naked eye, you can spot the Mare Crisium, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars, you’ll also be able to observe the Clavius Crater, the Alps Mountains, and the Archimedes Crater. For those using a telescope, you can even view the landing sites of Apollo 11, 16, and 17 missions.
When Will the Next Full Moon Occur?
The next Full Moon is scheduled for August 28.
How Do the Moon Phases Work?
The Moon undergoes a series of distinct phases that alter its appearance from our vantage point on Earth. As the Moon orbits our planet, it completes a lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, as noted by NASA. The alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon dictates the visibility of the Moon’s illuminated side, resulting in its various phases. Throughout this cycle, the Moon transitions from a delicate crescent to a half-Moon, then to a Full Moon, before commencing the cycle anew.
The eight distinct phases are as follows:
Mashable Light Speed
New Moon – During this phase, the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, resulting in a dark side that is not visible from Earth.
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light becomes visible on the right side of the Moon (for observers in the Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – The Moon appears as a half-Moon, with the right side illuminated.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half of the Moon is illuminated, approaching full brightness.
Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is fully lit and clearly visible.
Waning Gibbous – The illumination begins to decrease from the right side (for Northern Hemisphere viewers).
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon occurs, but this time the left side is illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before the Moon returns to darkness.
Brandon Fletcher
