Even though it may seem so, the moon is not yet full. There are still two days left until this month’s full moon. Nevertheless, there is much to watch for this evening. Continue reading to discover more.
What is the moon phase today?
As of Monday, Nov. 3, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. Tonight, 94% of the moon will be visible, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.
The moon is close to being full, providing many sights to take in. Without any visual tools, you can see the Tycho Crater, Mare Fecunditatis, and Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars, you may observe the Gassendi and Archimedes Craters as well as Mare Frigoris. A telescope will show you the Rima Ariadaeus, the Apollo 15 and 16 landing areas, and the Fra Mauro Highlands.
When will the next full moon take place?
The next full moon is set for Nov. 5.
What are the phases of the moon?
According to NASA, the moon experiences different phases as it orbits around Earth over a span of about 29.5 days. These phases occur due to the varying angles among the Sun, Moon, and Earth. From where we stand, the moon can seem completely illuminated, partially lit, or even vanish, although we consistently see the same side. The quantity of sunlight bouncing off its surface shifts depending on its orbital location, generating a consistent pattern known as the lunar cycle.
The eight primary moon phases are as follows:
New Moon – The moon is situated between Earth and the sun, rendering the side we observe dark (invisible to the human eye).
Waxing Crescent – A small segment of light appears on the right-hand side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter – Half of the moon glows on the right side, looking like a half-moon.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, yet it is not fully bright.
Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is lit and completely visible.
Waning Gibbous – The moon starts to lose light on the right side. (in the Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-moon, but this time the left side is illuminated.
Waning Crescent – A narrow sliver of light remains on the left side before it becomes dark once more.