It’s the 26th day of the lunar cycle, which means the Moon’s surface is not highly visible tonight. Nevertheless, with proper equipment, you may still see some details. Read on to discover more about tonight’s Moon.

What is the Moon phase today?

On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, 10% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Tonight, the only feature visible on the Moon’s surface is the Grimaldi Basin. Binoculars or a telescope will be necessary to view it.

When will the next Full Moon be?

The upcoming Full Moon will take place on Feb. 1. The last full moon occurred on Jan. 3.

What are the phases of the Moon?

Moon phases are part of the lunar cycle, which NASA indicates takes roughly 29.5 days to finish a complete orbit. As the Moon revolves around Earth, it experiences eight distinct phases. The same side of the Moon constantly faces Earth, but the sunlight on it varies according to its position. This leads to the Moon appearing full, partially lit, or entirely dark. The eight phases of the lunar cycle include:

New Moon – The Moon is located between Earth and the sun, rendering it invisible.

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

First Quarter – The right side of the Moon is illuminated, creating a half-Moon appearance.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half of the surface is lit, but it is not fully illuminated yet.

Full Moon – The entire surface of the Moon gleams brightly.

Waning Gibbous – The Moon begins to lose illumination on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon occurs, where the left side is illuminated.

Waning Crescent – A narrow sliver of light remains on the left side before it disappears again.