The initial moon of December has arrived, and the Full Moon is only a few days away. This forthcoming Full Moon will be a supermoon, ensuring a grand and luminous display shortly. In the meantime, there’s a lot to witness on the surface of the moon.

What is today’s moon phase?

On Monday, Dec. 1, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, with 83% of the moon illuminated this evening, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

It marks the 11th day of the lunar cycle, providing plenty to observe. Without any optical instruments, you can identify the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis, alongside the Copernicus Crater. Using binoculars, the Endymion, Alphonsus, and Posidonius Craters become visible. A telescope unveils the Schiller Crater, the Apollo 12 landing site, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next full moon?

The upcoming full moon is on Dec. 4, signifying the final one of three successive supermoons. The last full moon occurred on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

NASA defines the lunar cycle, which lasts around 29.5 days, as comprising the Moon’s phases, representing its look from Earth as it revolves around us. We consistently see the same hemisphere of the Moon, but the sunlight on its surface alters as it orbits. This changing illumination leads the Moon to seem full, half-illuminated, or absent. The cycle consists of eight phases:

New Moon – The moon is located between Earth and the sun, rendering it invisible.

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

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

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

Full Moon – The entire surface of the moon is lit up.

Waning Gibbous – The moon starts to lose light on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

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

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light persists on the left side before it goes dark.