What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, February 24, the moon phase is first quarter. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 48% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
Without any visual aid, you can see a lot, but three mares will stand out: Fecunditatis, Tranquillitatis and Serenitatis. If you add binoculars you will also be able to see Endymion Crater, Mare Nectaris, and Posidonius Crater.
Add a telescope to this series and you’ll see much more, including the Apollo 16 and 17 landing spots and Rupes Altai.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on March 3. The last full moon was on 1 February.
What are the moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to revolve around the Earth. During this period, it goes through eight recognizable stages. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface illuminated by the Sun changes as it moves along its path. Changes in sunlight give us different views from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin beam or near darkness. The eight steps are:
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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).
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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