Ethan Carter
With the Blue Moon just nights away, tonight offers a great opportunity to observe various features on the Moon’s surface. What should you look for? Read on for details.
What Moon Phase Can You Observe Tonight?
As of Friday, May 29, the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase. Tonight, approximately 91% of its surface will be illuminated, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.
You don’t need any special equipment to enjoy moon gazing on a clear night. With just your eyes, you can easily identify features like Mare Imbrium, Aristarchus Plateau, and Kepler Crater. If you have binoculars, you can also see Posidonius Crater, Archimedes Crater, and Clavius Crater. For those with a telescope, the Caucasus Mountains, Descartes Highlands, and Schiller Crater are visible.
When Will the Next Full Moon Occur?
This May features two Full Moons, with the next one scheduled for May 31.
What Are the Different Phases of the Moon?
Nasa explains that the Moon orbits Earth approximately every 29.5 days, cycling through a sequence of eight distinct phases. Although the same side always faces Earth, the sunlight illuminating the Moon changes, resulting in the various shapes we observe in the night sky, from slender crescents to the full Moon. This sequence of phases constitutes the lunar cycle:
New Moon – The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, rendering its visible side dark and essentially invisible.
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Waxing Crescent – A small illuminated sliver appears on the right side (for observers in the Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon is illuminated on the right side, resembling a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half of the surface is lit up, but it is not yet full.
Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is fully illuminated and visible.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon begins to lose illumination on the right side (for Northern Hemisphere viewers).
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon is visible, with the left side now illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A slender sliver of light remains on the left side before the Moon becomes dark again.
Daniel Mercer
