Lunar enthusiasts, this evening is yours. After days of mere slivers, there’s finally more to observe on the lunar surface.

Discover the events of tonight, July 28.

What is the current moon phase?

As of Monday, July 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There isn’t a great deal to observe this evening, with merely 9% of the surface visible to us on Earth (as per NASA’s Daily Moon Observation).

It marks the fourth day of the lunar cycle, and there are sights to behold tonight. With the naked eye, catch a view of the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis. If you use binoculars or a telescope, you can also spot the Endymion Crater.

When is the upcoming full moon?

The next full moon is set for August 9. The previous full moon occurred on July 10.

What are moon phases?

Per NASA, moon phases arise from the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, altering the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases represent the moon’s appearance from Earth as it orbits us. We consistently observe the same lunar side, but the extent to which it is illuminated by the Sun varies based on its orbital position. This process gives us full moons, half moons, and moons that seem entirely dark. There are eight principal moon phases, which follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon – The moon sits between the Earth and the sun, making the side we see dark (in other words, invisible to sight).

Waxing Crescent – A slight sliver of light is visible on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

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

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, but it’s not yet fully illuminated.

Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is lit and fully observable.

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

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

Waning Crescent – A delicate sliver of light remains on the left side before darkening once more.