Interested in why the moon looks like it does tonight? Wonder no more, here’s what you need to know about tonight’s moon, as it moves through the lunar cycle.
The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth.
Here’s what the moon is doing today, June 20, 2025.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Friday, June 20, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. In this phase, the moon is only 31% visible to us on Earth, according to NASA.
This moon marks the 24th day of the lunar cycle. If you look to the sky, with your naked eye, you’ll be able to see some of the craters and markings on the moon. Notably, the Ocean Procellarum and the Kepler Crater. The Oceanus Procellarum is a large lunar mare, also known as the “Ocean of Storm.” It spans over 1,600 miles and covers more than 10% of the moon.
NASA tells us that material created by the impact of the Kepler Crater spreads over 185 miles, 10 times further than the crater’s diameter. This crater is visible for a few days in the lunar cycle, the first few days after the first quarter to several days after the third quarter.
You can spot both phenomena at the top left of the moon if you’re star gazing in the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, avert your gaze to the bottom right.
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When is the next full moon?
June’s full moon was on June 11. The next full moon will be on July 10.
What are moon phases?
Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, NASA tells us, caused by the angles between the sun, moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:
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.
Last Quarter (or Third 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.
