Moon phase today explained: What the moon will look like on October 30, 2025
We have just passed first quarter, which means the moon is now on its way to becoming full. It’s part of the lunar cycle, the moon’s journey from New Moon to Full Moon and back, a rhythm that takes about 29 and a half days.
What is the moon phase today?
Since Thursday, October 30, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, 59% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight.
Without any visual aids, there is plenty to see this evening, including Mare Vaporum, Mare Crisium and Mare Serenitatis. Do you have a pair of binoculars hidden somewhere? Dig them to see Endymion Crater, Alphonsus Crater and Mare Nectaris. With a telescope you will also see the Rima Hyginus, the Linne crater and the Caucasus Mountains.
When will the next full moon be?
The next full moon will be on November 5.
What are moon phases?
NASA tells us that the Moon goes through phases during its 29.5 day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the Moon may appear full, partially lit, or even disappear completely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit. This is called the lunar cycle.
The eight main phases of the moon are:
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.
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.
