Visibility is almost completely gone tonight, which can only mean one thing, we’re close to the New Moon. Keep reading to see what, if anything, you can spot on the moon’s surface tonight.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Monday, Nov. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 7% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
Unfortunately, to see anything on the moon tonight you’ll need the assistance of a visual aid. With binoculars or a telescope, you should be able to make out the Grimaldi Basin.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.
What are moon phases?
Moon phases are all part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA. These phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes throughout its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all (aka, the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:
The eight main moon 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.
