The full moon has made its appearance, and if the night is clear, there is much to witness as we transition into the following lunar phase.
The lunar cycle contains eight unique phases, spanning roughly 29.5 days, as per NASA. These stages happen as the Sun lights up various sections of the moon during its orbit around Earth.
What’s occurring with the moon tonight, Aug. 9?
The moon phase today is Full Moon, and it is fully illuminated at 100%, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
The full moon for this month is known as the Sturgeon Moon, named after the plentiful sturgeon fish that fishing tribes catch in August.
Tonight, take a look at the moon’s surface, paying attention to the Mare Vaporum, Mare Fecunditatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis, which are visible to the unaided eye.
When will the next full moon take place?
The next full moon is set for September 7.
What defines moon phases?
NASA clarifies that moon phases are the result of the moon’s 29.5-day orbital cycle, which alters the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases illustrate the moon’s appearance from Earth as it revolves around us. We continually see the same hemisphere of the moon, yet the lit part fluctuates depending on its orbital position. This results in full moons, half moons, and moons that are not visible. There are eight main moon phases in a cyclical pattern:
New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, rendering the visible side dark (invisible to the observer).
Waxing Crescent – A small slice of light starts to show 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 of the moon is lit, but it’s not yet full.
Full Moon – The entire surface of the moon is illuminated and completely visible.
Waning Gibbous – The moon starts to lose light on the right side.
Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon phase, but the left side is now illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A slender sliver of light persists on the left side before it becomes dark once more.