Have you ever thought about why the moon looks different tonight compared to last night? It’s not just by chance; the moon is moving through a cycle of eight phases known as the lunar cycle. This cycle spans roughly 29.5 days, occurring as the Sun shines on different segments of the moon while it travels around Earth.

Fascinating, isn’t it? Continue reading to discover the moon’s current position in the lunar cycle as of Sept. 26.

What is the moon phase today?

On Friday, Sept. 26, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent, with a visibility of 19% according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

It marks the fifth day of the lunar cycle, and the moon appears to be making its way back to prominence. With the naked eye, look to the upper right of the moon to identify the Mare Crisium. If you shift your focus to the middle right, you’ll also observe the Mare Fecunditatis. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, these features will be located towards the lower left.

Like last night’s view, you can also glimpse the Endymion Crater using binoculars or a telescope.

When will the next full moon occur?

The upcoming full moon will take place on Oct. 6. The previous full moon occurred on Sept. 7.

What do moon phases mean?

According to NASA, moon phases are components of a 29.5-day cycle tied to the moon’s orbit. This shifts the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases illustrate how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits us; at times, it looks full, and other times, it can seem entirely absent, yet we always observe the same side of the moon. It’s merely the portion illuminated by the Sun that varies according to its orbit.

This is how we experience full moons, half moons, and moons that seem completely hidden. There are eight primary moon phases, adhering to a recurring cycle:

New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, making the side we see dark (invisible to the eye).

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

First Quarter – Half of the moon glows on the right side, resembling a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – Over half is illuminated, yet it isn’t fully bright.

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

Waning Gibbous – The moon starts to lose light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon, but this time the left side is lit.

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