The moon seems to be perpetually shifting from our viewpoint due to the diverse angles of sunlight that it captures, resulting in various “shapes” of the moon. This occurrence is referred to as the lunar cycle, comprising eight phases determined by the level of sunlight gracing the moon. According to NASA, the cycle extends approximately 29.5 days, with these phases emerging as the Sun illuminates different sections of the moon while it circles Earth.

As of today, June 22, 2025, the moon is in the Waning Crescent phase. During this phase, the moon is only slightly illuminated, displaying a mere 12% of its surface, per NASA’s findings. This signifies the 26th day of the lunar cycle, and as visibility diminishes, so does the likelihood of spotting craters or plateaus on the moon. With the aid of binoculars or a telescope, you may be able to identify the Grimaldi Basin, an impact crater stretching around 248 miles, appearing as a dark center encircled by a brighter edge during a full moon.

The full moon in June took place on June 11, with the following full moon anticipated on July 10.

The phases of the moon are the result of the angles formed between the sun, moon, and Earth. These phases depict how the moon is perceived from Earth while it orbits us. We consistently see the same hemisphere of the moon, but the portion illuminated by the Sun varies depending on its orbital position. The eight primary moon phases adhere to a cyclical pattern:

– **New Moon**: The moon sits between Earth and the sun, rendering it unseen.
– **Waxing Crescent**: A small portion of light is visible on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
– **First Quarter**: The right side of the moon is illuminated halfway, resembling a half-moon.
– **Waxing Gibbous**: More than half is lit, though not entirely.
– **Full Moon**: The full face of the moon shines brightly.
– **Waning Gibbous**: The moon begins to lose illumination on the right side.
– **Last Quarter** (or Third Quarter): Another half-moon phase, with the left side lit.
– **Waning Crescent**: A slender sliver of light is seen on the left side before it vanishes again.