The moon continues to shine large and bright in our skies following the full moon, yet each night it seems a bit dimmer on the right side (or left if you reside in the Southern Hemisphere). This occurrence is part of the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is made up of eight unique phases concerning the moon’s visibility. The complete cycle takes around 29.5 days, according to NASA, with these phases happening as the Sun lights up various sections of the moon while it revolves around Earth.

So, what is the situation with the moon tonight, Aug. 12?

What is today’s moon phase?

On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 88% illuminated from Earth’s perspective, based on NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

There is plenty to see on the moon tonight, and it’s also the start of the peak for the Perseids Meteor Shower. The moon’s brightness may hide some meteors, yet several should still be observable.

Furthermore, without any optical tools, you can detect the Kepler Crater, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Vaporum on the moon. Using a telescope, you can view Apollo 16, the Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains, a mountain range extending 323 miles.

When will the next full moon be?

The upcoming full moon is scheduled for Sept. 7. The previous full moon occurred on Aug. 9.

What are the moon phases?

Per NASA, moon phases are a result of the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, changing the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases illustrate how the moon is seen from Earth as it moves in its orbit. We consistently observe the same face of the moon, but the portion illuminated by the Sun changes according to its orbital position. This leads to full moons, half moons, and moons that may appear completely dark. There are eight main moon phases that follow a repetitive cycle:

New Moon – The moon lies between Earth and the sun, causing the visible side to be dark (invisible).

Waxing Crescent – A tiny sliver of light emerges 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 illuminated, but it is not completely full.

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

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

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

Waning Crescent