The day preceding the Third Quarter, the Moon is almost 50% illuminated. In this phase, the Moon is again half-lit, but on the opposite side from the First Quarter, as it nears the new moon.

What phase is the Moon in today?

On Friday, May 8, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. This evening, 66% of the moon will be lit, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Without visual aids, you can identify the Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater, and the Kepler Crater.

With binoculars, more features become visible, including the Clavius Crater, Gassendi Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. Using a telescope, you can also view the Apollo 15 landing site, the Schiller Crater, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.

When will the next Full Moon occur?

May will have two Full Moons, with the next one on May 31.

What do Moon phases refer to?

NASA states that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, transitioning through eight phases. While we consistently see the same face of the Moon, the angle of sunlight shifts, producing full, half, and crescent forms. There are eight primary phases:

New Moon – The Moon resides between Earth and the sun, rendering the side visible to us dark.

Waxing Crescent – A small portion of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – The Moon is half-illuminated on the right side, resembling a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, but it is not yet full.

Full Moon – The complete visage of the Moon is lit.

Waning Gibbous – The Moon begins to lose light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, with the left side illuminated.

Waning Crescent – A slender strip of light continues on the left side before becoming dark again.