The moon goes through a regular sequence of phases every month, changing its look from night to night. This phenomenon is referred to as the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is made up of eight separate phases that define the moon’s visibility. According to NASA, the whole cycle spans about 29.5 days, and these phases arise as the Sun shines on various sections of the moon while it travels around Earth.

So, what is the moon’s status tonight, Aug. 15?

What phase is the moon in today?

As of Friday, Aug. 15, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, with 58% of its surface illuminated from our perspective on Earth, per NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

Moreover, without any visual aids, you can spot the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater, and the Oceanus Procellarum, an “Ocean of Storms” that occupies more than 10% of the moon’s surface.

Using binoculars, you can admire the Gassendi Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Alps Mountains. If you possess a telescope, you’ll also be able to see the Apollo 12, Caucasus Mountains, and the Schiller Crater.

When will the next full moon occur?

The next full moon is set to happen on Sept. 7. The previous full moon was on Aug. 9.

What are the phases of the moon?

NASA states that moon phases are the result of the 29.5-day orbital cycle of the moon, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. These phases reflect the moon’s appearance from Earth as it orbits us. We consistently see the same face of the moon, but the sunlight hitting it shifts according to its orbital position. This creates full moons, half moons, and those that appear to be completely dark. There are eight main moon phases, which follow a looping cycle:

New Moon – The moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, making the side we can see dark (invisible to our eyes).

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

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

Waxing Gibbous – Over half of the moon is lit, yet it is not fully illuminated.

Full Moon – The whole surface of the moon is lit and entirely visible.

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

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

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