We’re well into the new lunar cycle, and the moon is becoming increasingly visible from Earth. So, what’s going on tonight, July 29?

What is the moon phase for today?

As of Tuesday, July 29, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There is 23% of the moon’s surface visible to us on Earth (as per NASA’s Daily Moon Observation).

It’s the fifth day of the lunar cycle, and there is much to observe tonight. With the naked eye, catch a view of the Mare Crisium and the Mare Fecunditatis, an impact basin also referred to as the “Sea of Fertility.”

Add binoculars or a telescope, and you’ll spot the Endymion Crater as well.

When will the next full moon occur?

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

What are moon phases?

As stated by NASA, moon phases result from the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which alters the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits around us. We always observe the same side of the moon, but the amount illuminated by the Sun shifts depending on its position in the orbit. This cycle creates full moons, half moons, and moons that seem entirely dark. There are eight principal moon phases, and they occur in a repeating cycle:

New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, making the side we see dark (in other words, it’s not visible).

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

First Quarter – Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It resembles a half-moon.

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

Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is lit and completely 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 – A thin sliver of light is left on the left side before it goes dark again.