Moon phase today explained: What the moon will look like on December 9, 2025
We are on the 19th day of the lunar cycle and we are close to a new lunar phase, the third quarter. From there, the moon will quickly become smaller each night until there is nothing left at all. This phase is known as the New Moon. But what happens tonight, on day 19? Read on to find out.
What is the moon phase today?
Since Tuesday, December 9, the phase of the moon has been waning. That means 73% of the Moon is illuminated tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
We still have more than half of the Moon exposed, so for now, there’s plenty to see on its surface. If you’re viewing without any visual aids, keep an eye out for Mare Tranquillitatis, Tycho Crater, and Oceanus Procellarum.. If you have binoculars handy, take them out to see Gassendi Crater, Clavius Crater, and the Alps mountains. If you’re serious about observing the moon and have a telescope handy, take it out to see all of this plus the Apollo 15 and 16 landing sites and Reiner Gamma.
When will the next full moon be?
The next full moon will be on January 3.
What are moon phases?
NASA explains that the lunar cycle (which lasts about 29.5 days) is made up of the Moon’s phases, which describe what the Moon looks like from Earth as it moves around us. We always look at the same side of the Moon, but the sunlight hitting its surface changes as it moves in its orbit. This changing lighting is what causes the Moon to appear full, half-lit, or invisible at all. The cycle includes eight distinct 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).
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.
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.
