Moon phase today explained: What the moon will look like on December 23, 2025

The moon is visible again now, and after a few nights of darkness, if you look closely, you should be able to see some new mare craters.

What is the moon phase today?

Since Tuesday, December 23, the phase of the moon is the waxing crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, 11% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.

This evening, with the naked eye, you will be able to see the Mares Crisium and the Fecunditatis. If you add binoculars or a telescope, you can also see Endymion Crater.

When will the next full moon be?

The next full moon will be on January 3. The last full moon will be on December 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete a complete cycle. This is called the lunar cycle. All the while, it goes through a series of phases during its orbit around Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflected off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully lit, partially lit, or completely invisible at different times in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon – The Moon sits between the Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the naked eye).

Waxed Crescent – ​​A small burst of light appears on the right side (northern hemisphere).

First Quarter – Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous – The moon begins to lose light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent – ​​A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before turning dark again.