What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, February 3, the Moon’s phase is waning gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 98% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
With just your naked eye, you can still see Mare Imbrium, Aristarchus Plateau and Mare Serenitatis tonight. You will also see through binoculars Endymion Crater, Mare Frigoris and also the Grimaldi Basin. Finally, with a telescope, you’ll see it all and the Descartes Highlands, Rima Hyginus, and Lynne Crater.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on March 3.
What are the moon phases?
According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts about 29.5 days. This is how much time it takes for the Moon to revolve once around the Earth. During that period, it passes through eight recognized stages. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, although the side that is illuminated changes as the Moon rotates in its orbit. The amount of sunlight reaching the Moon causes it to be fully, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases are:
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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