We’re on day 26 of the lunar cycle which can only mean one thing: it’s nearly the New Moon. Over the next few nights, the moon will fade from view as it moves between Earth and the Sun, as we transition into a new lunar cycle.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Friday, Oct. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 14% will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
Visibility is decreasing significantly each night. Tonight, you’ll only be able to see the Aristarchus Plateau without a visual aid. However, if you have binoculars, you’ll also see the Grimaldi Basin. A telescope will also bring the Reiner Gamma into sight. This is a lunar swirl on the moon’s surface.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.
What are moon phases?
The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.
The eight main moon phases are:
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.
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