This evening signifies the start of a fresh lunar cycle, with the moon nearly 50% aglow. Each night, the Moon will increase in size and brightness in the sky until the Full Moon emerges. Keep reading to learn what you can spot tonight.
What is the Moon phase today?
As of Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Moon phase is First Quarter. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 48% of the Moon will be lit tonight.
Even without any optical aids, you can observe quite a bit, but three Mares will be the most prominent: the Fecunditatis, Tranquillitatis, and Serenitatis. If you use binoculars, you’ll also catch sight of the Endymion Crater, the Mare Nectaris, and the Posidonius Crater.
Through a telescope, you’ll see even more, such as the Apollo 16 and 17 landing sites and the Rupes Altai.
When will the next Full Moon occur?
The upcoming Full Moon is on March 3. The previous Full Moon took place on Feb. 1.
What are the phases of the Moon?
According to NASA, the Moon completes its orbit around the Earth in approximately 29.5 days. Throughout this cycle, it transitions through eight distinct phases. While the same hemisphere of the Moon is always visible to us, the amount of its surface illuminated by sunlight changes as it travels its orbit. These variations in light result in the different appearances we observe from Earth, ranging from a fully lit Moon to a slender crescent or near obscurity. The eight phases are:
New Moon – The Moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, rendering the visible side dark (essentially, it’s invisible).
Waxing Crescent – A small portion of light appears on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the Moon is illuminated on the right side, resembling a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, but it’s not fully completed yet.
Full Moon – The entire surface of the Moon is lit and fully observable.
Waning Gibbous – The Moon begins to lose light on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon appears, but the left side is now illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A narrow strip of light remains on the left side before it returns to darkness.