Interested in tonight’s moon appearance? Here’s what you should be aware of as it moves through the lunar phase.

The lunar cycle includes eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility and spans approximately 29.5 days, as noted by NASA. These phases emerge as the Sun lights up different areas of the moon while it revolves around Earth.

Here’s what to expect tonight, July 14.

What is the current moon phase?

On Monday, July 14, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous. The moon is predominantly illuminated, even days post full moon, and will be 85% visible to observers, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

It’s the 19th day of the lunar cycle, and here’s what you’ll see upon gazing upwards. Without any visual tools, take in the details of the Aristarchus Plateau, the Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Serenitatis. Using binoculars, you’ll also observe the Clavius Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Nectaris.

With a telescope, you can view all this and even more, including the Apollo 12 and 16 landing sites. The rocks retrieved during the Apollo 16 mission are among the oldest samples brought back from the Moon, according to NASA.

When is the subsequent full moon?

The upcoming full moon is set for August 9. The most recent full moon occurred on July 10.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are aspects of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, NASA clarifies, resulting from the angles formed by the sun, moon, and Earth. Moon phases depict how the moon appears from Earth while it orbits. We consistently view the same hemisphere of the moon, yet the illuminated section shifts according to its orbital position. At times, it appears full, at times half, and on other occasions, not visible at all. Eight primary moon phases exist, moving through a cyclical pattern:

New Moon – The moon resides between Earth and the sun, rendering the side we see dark (invisible).

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

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

Waxing Gibbous – Over half is illuminated, but not yet entirely.

Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is lit and completely observable.

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

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

Waning Crescent – A narrow light band remains on the left side before it goes dark again.