What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, April 21, the moon phase is waxing crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 20% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
If you’re looking at the moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of Mares Criseum and Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars or a telescope, you’ll see these along with Endymion Crater.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon is estimated to occur on May 1, the first of two in May.
What are the moon phases?
NASA says the Moon completes one complete revolution around the Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it goes through eight phases. Although the Moon always has the same face turned toward us, the portion illuminated by the Sun changes as it moves along its path, producing the familiar cycle of full, half, and crescent shapes. These variations are called lunar phases, and there are eight in total:
New Moon – The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it is invisible to the eye).
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Waxing Crescent – A small patch of light visible to the right (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – The right half of the Moon is illuminated. It looks like a half moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half burnt, but not full yet.
Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is illuminated and completely visible.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon begins to lose light from the right. (Northern hemisphere)
Third quarter (or last quarter) – Another half moon, but now the left side is illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left before it gets dark again.
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