Visibility has nearly vanished tonight, signaling that we are approaching the New Moon. Keep reading to find out what, if anything, you might view on the moon’s surface this evening.

What is the moon phase today?

As of Monday, Nov. 17, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This indicates that 7% of the moon is lit up tonight, as per NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

To catch a glimpse of anything on the moon tonight, you will require a visual aid. With the help of binoculars or a telescope, you should be able to see the Grimaldi Basin.

When will the next full moon take place?

The next full moon is set to occur on Dec. 4.

What are the phases of the moon?

Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA. These phases illustrate how the moon looks from Earth as it circles our planet. Although we always observe the same side of the moon, the quantity of sunlight it gets alters during its orbit. Therefore, it may appear full, half, or occasionally not visible at all (referred to as the New Moon). There are eight primary moon phases that follow a cycle that repeats:

The eight primary moon phases are:

New Moon – The moon sits between Earth and the sun, making the side we can see dark (it is not visible).

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

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

Waxing Gibbous – Over half is lit up, but it is not completely full yet.

Full Moon – The complete face of the moon is lit and entirely visible.

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

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

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