The full moon is merely a day away, so what implications does this have for tonight’s moon? Continue reading to uncover the details.

Today signifies the 14th day of the lunar cycle, a series of eight unique phases regarding the moon’s visibility. The complete cycle spans approximately 29.5 days (as stated by NASA), and these phases manifest as the Sun lights up various portions of the moon while it orbits around Earth. The moon is perpetually there, yet what we observe from Earth differs according to its illumination.

Learn what to expect from the moon tonight, July 9.

What is the moon phase today?

As of Tuesday, July 9, the moon phase is still Waxing Gibbous. From our perspective on Earth, 98% of the moon is projected to be visible, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

A significant portion of the moon’s surface is illuminated for our viewing tonight, providing ample opportunity for observation. If you’re situated in the Northern Hemisphere, direct your gaze to the center of the moon for the Copernicus Crater, and up to the top right for the Mare Serenitatis and Mare Tranquillitatis. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, these will be positioned towards the bottom left.

With binoculars, you may catch a view of the Alps Mountains, Grimaldi Basin, and Mare Humorum. Incorporating a telescope will allow you to see Apollo 14, Linne Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains, which extend around 323 miles in length, as noted by NASA.

When is the upcoming full moon?

The full moon of this month is set to take place tomorrow, July 10.

What exactly are moon phases?

Moon phases arise from the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, changing the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. These phases characterize how the moon is perceived from Earth as it travels around us. We consistently view the same side of the moon; however, the portion illuminated by the Sun fluctuates depending on its position in orbit. This leads to occurrences of full moons, half moons, and moons that appear to be absent. There are eight main moon phases, following a cyclical pattern:

New Moon – The moon lies between the Earth and the sun, rendering the side facing us dark (invisible to view).

Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light is visible on the right side (for the Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – The right side of the moon is half-lit, resembling a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, although it is not fully illuminated.

Full Moon – The moon’s entire face is lit and fully observable.

Waning Gibbous – The moon starts to diminish in light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon phase, but now illuminated on the left side.

Waning Crescent – A narrow sliver of light persists on the left side before it becomes dark once more.