Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on April 22, 2026

The Moon appears more each night as we move through the lunar cycle. It is currently the day of the cycle, so it will continue to appear larger and brighter until we reach the Full Moon in May.

What is the phase of the Moon today?

Since Wednesday, April 22, the phase of the Moon is the waxing crescent. Tonight, 30% of the Moon will be illuminated, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

If you look at the Moon with the naked eye, you should be able to see Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars, the craters Endymion and Posidonius should be visible. And finally, with a telescope you will see all of this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot.

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?

NASA says the Moon completes one complete orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it passes through eight stages. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the part illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels, producing the familiar cycle of full, half-wax, and crescent shapes. These variations are called lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

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.