We’re getting closer to the New Moon, so the Moon’s visibility will drop significantly over the coming nights. Keep reading to find out what, if anything, you can spot tonight.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Saturday, Aug. 8, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 26% of its surface visible.
Without visual aids, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau and the Kepler Crater. Plus, binoculars or a telescope will help you to see the Grimaldi Basin, the Gassendi Crater, and the Mare Humorum.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.
What are Moon phases?
The Moon’s appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits Earth, completing one full lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. During that journey, the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are constantly shifting, altering how much of the Moon’s illuminated surface is visible from our perspective. That’s why we see the familiar sequence of phases, from a slim crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.
The eight phases are:
Mashable Light Speed
New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
