Tonight, only a tiny segment of the moon is visible, yet there’s still an opportunity to discover some fascinating geological characteristics if we examine closely.

The moon seems darker at this moment due to our location in the lunar cycle, which consists of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility. This cycle spans about 29.5 days, as stated by NASA, and these phases arise as the Sun lights up different areas of the moon while it revolves around Earth.

Let’s investigate what’s taking place with the moon tonight, Aug. 18.

What is today’s moon phase?

On Monday, Aug. 18, the moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 25% of it illuminated from our viewpoint on Earth, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

We are on day 25 of the lunar cycle, approaching the New Moon. Although there’s limited visibility of the moon, there are still features to seek out. With just your eyes, attempt to spot the Oceanus Procellarum and the Kepler Crater, situated in the upper left of the moon (bottom right if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere).

Using binoculars, more can be seen, such as the Grimaldi Basin and the Mare Humorum, and with a telescope, you may catch sight of the Reiner Gamma and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will take place on Sept. 7. The previous full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are moon phases?

As per NASA, moon phases are the result of the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, changing the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases define how the moon appears from Earth as it revolves around us. We consistently see the same face of the moon, but the illuminated area shifts according to its orbital position. This leads to full moons, half moons, and moons that appear to be absent. There are eight primary moon phases, following a repeating cycle:

New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, making the visible side dark (invisible to the observer).

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

First Quarter – Half of the moon is illuminated on the right side, resembling a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, but not completely full.

Full Moon – The complete face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

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

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

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light lingers on the left side before going dark again.