Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on March 22, 2026
After several nights of near darkness, the Moon is finally illuminated enough for avid sky watchers to once again spot certain features on the surface. Keep reading to find out what you might see tonight.
What is the phase of the Moon today?
Since Sunday March 22, the phase of the Moon is the waxing crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 14% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
Tonight marks the return of enough of the Moon’s surface to see some interesting features. For example, without any visual aids, NASA tells us you can spot Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Crisium. These are located in the middle right of the moon, or in the middle left if you are in the southern hemisphere.
With binoculars or a telescope, you will see them as well as the Edymion crater, positioned at the top right or bottom left.
When will the next Full Moon take place?
In North America, the next Full Moon is expected to occur on April 1st.
What are the phases of the Moon?
NASA says the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, going through eight different phases. We always see the same side, but the Sun illuminates different parts as it moves, which is why it can appear full, half, or just a thin sliver. These changing shapes are called lunar phases, and there are eight in total:
Crushable speed of light
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.
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.
