The moon is slowly getting smaller each night as we near the New Moon, and tonight it showcases only a narrow crescent, reflecting the current phase, Waning Crescent. Nonetheless, since we are still early in this phase, there remains a lot to notice on its surface if you take a closer look.

What is the phase of the moon today?

As of Friday, Nov. 14, the phase of the moon is Waning Crescent. This indicates that 27% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

What observations can you make when you gaze up? Specifically, without any optical instruments, you can spot the Kepler Crater and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, towards the bottom left you will also observe the Grimaldi Basin. With a telescope, you’ll see more towards the bottom left (top right, if you are in the Southern Hemisphere), featuring the Schiller Crater and the Apollo 12 landing location.

When will the next full moon occur?

The upcoming full moon will take place on Dec. 4.

What are the phases of the moon?

The phases of the moon are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, as per NASA. These phases represent how the moon is perceived from Earth as it revolves around us. We always view the same side of the moon; however, the portion that is illuminated by the Sun varies based on its orbital position. Thus, it may appear full at times, half at others, and sometimes not visible at all (referred to as the New Moon). There are eight primary moon phases, and they follow a cyclical pattern:

The eight primary moon phases include:

New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, rendering the side we observe dark (meaning it cannot be seen).

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

First Quarter – The right side of the moon is illuminated halfway, resembling a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, but it has yet to reach full illumination.

Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is illuminated and completely visible.

Waning Gibbous – The moon begins to lose light on the right side. (in the Northern Hemisphere)

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

Waning Crescent – A slender strip of light persists on the left side before fading into darkness once more.