Have you ever thought about why the moon looks different each evening? This phenomenon is attributed to the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is made up of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility, taking around 29.5 days to finish, as stated by NASA. These phases happen as the Sun lights up various sections of the moon while it revolves around the Earth. The moon is constantly there, but what we observe from our planet changes based on the amount of sunlight it captures.

See what is occurring this evening, July 15.

Today’s Moon Phase

On Tuesday, July 15, the moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase. Tonight, 77% of the moon will be observable, as indicated by NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

It’s day 20 of the lunar cycle, and here’s what you can expect when you gaze up. Without any visual tools, admire views of the Oceanus Procellarum, the Copernicus Crater, and the Mare Vaporum. With binoculars, you can also detect the Clavius Crater, Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Humorum.

Using a telescope, you’ll witness all this and beyond, including the Apollo 14, Rima Hyginus, and the Schiller Crater.

Next Full Moon

The upcoming full moon will take place on August 9. The previous full moon was on July 10.

Moon Phases

Moon phases are a component of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, as detailed by NASA, resulting from the angles among the sun, moon, and Earth. Moon phases illustrate how the moon appears from Earth during its orbit. We consistently view the same side of the moon, but the portion illuminated by the Sun alters based on its orbital position. At times it looks full, at other times half, and occasionally not visible at all. There are eight primary moon phases, which follow a cyclical pattern:

New Moon – The moon lies between the Earth and the sun, so the side we observe is dark (invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of illumination appears 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 entirely full.

Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is bright and fully observable.

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

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

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