What is today’s moon phase?
As of Thursday, March 26, the Moon’s phase is waxing gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 56% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
And there is so much to see, even without visual aid you can see Mars Fecunditatis, Chrysum and Vaporum. With binoculars, you’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of Posidonius Crater, the Alps Mountains, and the Apennine Mountains. Plus, with a telescope, you’ll be able to see even more locations, including the Rhema Ariades, the Descartes Highlands, and the Caucasus Mountains.
When is the next full moon?
In North America, the next full moon is predicted to occur on April 1.
What are the moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon completes one orbit around the Earth in about 29.5 days, going through eight distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon is always facing us, sunlight illuminates different parts as it travels, making it appear full, half, or a narrow crescent. These changing patterns are known as 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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