Moon phase today explained: What the moon will look like on December 5, 2025
The moon still appears quite large and bright in the sky after last night’s Full Moon. But now that it has passed, the moon will actually become less visible each night as we move through the lunar cycle and approach the New Moon phase. But until then, there’s plenty to see on the surface, so keep reading to find out what you can spot.
What is the moon phase today?
Since Friday, December 5, the phase of the moon has been waning. That means 99% of the Moon is illuminated tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
If you look with the naked eye, there is a lot to see, especially Humorum Mare, Endymion Crater and Alphonsus Crater. With binoculars you can also observe the mountains of the Alps, the Clavius crater and the Mare Humorum. And with a telescope, you can see the landing sites of Apollo 11 and 12.
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.
