Can you make out any features on the Moon’s surface tonight? There’s plenty to see, so here’s what to look for when you look up.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Tuesday, March 10, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 61% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
Without visual aids its very possible that you’ll be able to see features like the Mare Imbrium, the Mare Vaporum, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you’ll be able to see even more, including the Alps Mountains, Apennine Mountains, and the Alphonsus Crater.
A telescope will make even more features visible, among them the Apollo 15, Fra Mauro Highlands, and the Caucasus Mountains.
When is the next Full Moon?
In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.
What are Moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount illuminated by the Sun shifts as it moves, which is why it can appear full, half-lit, or just a thin sliver at different times in the cycle. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:
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.
