It’s day 26 of the lunar cycle, so there’s not much to see on the Moon’s surface tonight. If you have viewing gear, however, you may still catch a glimpse. Keep reading to see what’s happening with tonight’s Moon.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Thursday, Jan. 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 10% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
Tonight, the only thing to spot on the Moon’s surface is the Grimaldi Basin. To be able to see it, you’ll need either binoculars or a telescope.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.
What are Moon phases?
Moon phases are what make up the lunar cycle, a phase that NASA tells us takes about 29.5 days. This is the time that the Moon takes to complete a full orbit. As it moves around Earth, it goes through a series of eight distinct phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, but the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can sometimes appear full, partially lit, or completely dark. The eight phases that make up the lunar cycle 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).
Mashable Light Speed
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.
