Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on April 8, 2026
The Moon is in its waning phase. This means that every night until the New Moon, it will appear smaller and smaller. This is due to where we are in the lunar cycle, a cycle of approximately 29.5 days in which the Moon orbits the Earth and the portion illuminated by the Sun gradually changes from our perspective. Keep reading to see where we are in this cycle tonight.
What is the phase of the Moon today?
Since Wednesday April 8, the phase of the Moon has been waning gibbous. Tonight, 68% of the Moon will be illuminated, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.
There’s plenty to see on the Moon’s surface tonight, even if you don’t have any visual aids. By simply looking up, you should be able to see Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater and Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars you can also see the Gassendi crater, the Grimaldi basin and the Clavius crater. Finally, if you have a telescope, expect to see features such as the Apollo 12 landing spot and Schiller Crater.
When will the next Full Moon take place?
The next Full Moon is expected to occur on May 1, the first of two full moons in May.
What are the phases of the Moon?
According to NASA, the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to circle Earth, passing through eight unique phases along the way. Although we always see the same side from Earth, different parts of its surface are illuminated by the Sun as it orbits, making it appear fully lit, partially lit, or as a thin crescent. These changing views are called lunar phases, and there are eight in all:
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).
Crushable speed of light
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.
Gibbous Decline – 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.
