Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on January 8, 2025
The Moon looks a little different each night as it cycles. Tonight is the waning gibbous phase, which means it’s half lit, so there’s plenty to see in the sky.
What is the phase of the Moon today?
Since Thursday, January 8, the phase of the Moon has been waning gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 71% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
If you don’t have a visual aid, don’t worry, there’s still plenty to see tonight, including Mares Serenitatis and Vaporum as well as Tycho Crater. With binoculars you will also see the Gassendi and Alphonsus craters, as well as Mare Nectaris. Add a telescope to your lineup if you want to see even more, including the Apollo 15 landing spot, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Descartes Highlands.
When will the next Full Moon take place?
The next Full Moon will take place on February 1st. The last full moon took place on January 3.
What are the phases of the Moon?
NASA explains that the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete a full orbit, a period known as the lunar cycle. As it moves around Earth, the Moon goes through a series of distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in its orbit. This is why the Moon can appear fully lit, partially lit, or completely dark at different times. The lunar cycle includes eight main 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.
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.
