As the Moon moves through its Waxing Gibbous phase with 84 percent of its surface illuminated, stargazers can view lunar maria and craters without visual aids, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide tracker. The lunar cycle takes roughly 29.5 days to complete, shifting through eight distinct phases as the portion of the surface lit by the Sun changes along its orbit.
Current Lunar Phase and Direct Observation Targets
The Moon is growing brighter each night as it approaches the next Full Moon scheduled for July 29, according to NASA. During this Waxing Gibbous phase, viewers can spot specific lunar landmarks depending on their equipment.
Without optical assistance, observers can see Mares Fecunditatis and Tranquillitatis, alongside the prominent Copernicus Crater. Binoculars reveal further detail, bringing the Alps Mountains, Archimedes Crater, and Gassendi Crater into view. Observers utilizing a telescope can examine the Apollo 14 and 15 landing spots and the Rima Ariadaeus, according to NASA tracking data.
Understanding the Eight Lunar Phases
The Moon completes its journey around Earth in approximately 29.5 days, passing through eight distinct phases defined by NASA. While the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the shifting angle of sunlight creates varying levels of surface illumination throughout the month.
- New Moon: The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, rendering the visible side dark and invisible to the naked eye, according to NASA.
- Waxing Crescent: A small sliver of light emerges on the right side in the Northern Hemisphere.
- First Quarter: Exactly half of the Moon is lit on the right side, creating a half-Moon appearance.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the surface is illuminated as the Moon builds toward full illumination.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible from Earth.
- Waning Gibbous: The Moon begins losing illuminated surface area on the right side in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Third Quarter (Last Quarter): A half-Moon phase where the left side is illuminated.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before the cycle resets to a New Moon.
Did you know? While we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth, the changing angle of sunlight creates eight distinct phases over the course of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Moon phase?
According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, the Moon is currently in its Waxing Gibbous phase with 84 percent of its surface visible.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will take place on July 29, according to NASA.
How long does a complete lunar cycle take?
The Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to complete its journey around Earth and pass through all eight phases, according to NASA.
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