Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on April 15, 2026

The New Moon is fast approaching and over the next few nights the Moon will be almost invisible. For Moon-gazing enthusiasts, that means less, if anything, to spot on its surface. Keep reading to see what happens tonight.

What is the phase of the Moon today?

Since Wednesday April 15, the phase of the Moon is the waning crescent. Tonight, 7% of the Moon will be illuminated, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Although there is still some Moon visible, the percentage illuminates it too dimly to be able to spot features on its surface.

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 explains that the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete a complete orbit around Earth, going through eight distinct phases in the process. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the part illuminated by the Sun changes as it moves, creating the familiar cycle of full, partial, and crescent shapes. These changing views are known as lunar phases, and there are eight of them:

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.