The moon is gleaming vividly in the night sky due to its location within the existing lunar cycle. This lunar cycle encompasses eight unique phases regarding the moon’s visibility, taking approximately 29.5 days to finish, according to NASA. These phases happen as the Sun brightens various sections of the moon while it revolves around Earth. The moon is consistently present, yet its visibility from Earth fluctuates based on how much of it is illuminated.

Observe the moon tonight, July 3.

The current moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. As stated by NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, 57% of the moon is lit and visible from Earth. Today signifies day eight of the lunar cycle.

Tonight, there is much to see with the unaided eye, so let’s hope for clear skies.

With the unaided eye, you can view the Mare Crisium, Mare Tranquillitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis on the moon’s surface. In the Northern Hemisphere, these appear in the top right corner, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, they are located in the bottom left.

Using binoculars, you can identify the Endymion Crater, Posidonius Nectaris, and Mare Nectaris.

With a telescope, the Apollo 16 and Apollo 11 landing sites are observable, along with the Caucasus Mountains, which stretch for 323 miles.

The next full moon will take place on July 10. The last full moon occurred on June 11.

Moon phases are the result of the moon’s orbit of 29.5 days, changing the angles among the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases characterize how the moon appears from our planet as it revolves around us. We consistently view the same side of the moon, but the extent illuminated by the Sun shifts based on its orbital position. This leads to full moons, half moons, and moons that appear invisible. The eight main moon phases follow a cyclical pattern:

– **New Moon**: The moon is situated between Earth and the sun, rendering it invisible.
– **Waxing Crescent**: A small illuminated sliver appears 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 illuminated, but it is not completely full.
– **Full Moon**: The entire surface of the moon is lit up.
– **Waning Gibbous**: The moon begins to lose illumination on the right side.
– **Last Quarter** (or Third Quarter): Another half-moon, with the left side lit up.
– **Waning Crescent**: A slender illuminated sliver lingers on the left before going dark.