We’re just a few days away from the Full Moon now, so the moon is nice and bright tonight. There’s plenty for you to see when you look up, so keep reading to find out exactly what you can see.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Sunday, Nov. 30, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. This means 74% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
If you’re looking at the moon without any visual aids you should be able to spot the Vaporum, Crisium, and Fecunditatis Mares. With binoculars you’ll also be able to spot the Endymion and Alphonsus Craters, and the Apennine Mountains. If you have a telescope, pull it out to try and catch a glimpse of the Apollo 11 and 14 landing spots, and the Caucasus Mountains.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, which will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The last full moon was on Nov. 5.
What are moon phases?
NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which is about 29.5 days long) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe how the Moon looks from Earth as it travels around us. We view the same side of the Moon at all times, but the sunlight hitting its surface shifts as it moves through its orbit. That changing illumination is what makes the Moon appear full, half-lit, or not visible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct phases:
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.
