It’s quite astonishing that the full moon is still a few days away, considering how close it looks tonight. The lunar cycle comprises eight distinct stages of the moon’s visibility, and we are presently in the phase leading up to a full moon. The complete cycle takes roughly 29.5 days, as reported by NASA, with these stages occurring as the Sun shines on various sections of the moon during its orbit around Earth.

So, what’s going on with the moon tonight, Aug. 6?

What is the moon phase today?

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. As per NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 91% illuminated tonight, indicating the 13th day of the lunar cycle.

If you appreciate scrutinizing the markings on the moon’s surface, this is a perfect time in the lunar cycle to use binoculars. With the naked eye, you will be able to spot several features tonight, particularly the Mare Crisium, the Mare Tranquillitatis, and the Tycho Crater.

With binoculars, you can also observe the Mare Humorum, the Alps Mountains, and the Clavius Crater.

If you possess a telescope, there are numerous geological features to explore, including the Caucasus Mountains, Apollo 11, and the Descartes Highlands.

When is the upcoming full moon?

The next full moon will take place on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What exactly are moon phases?

As stated by NASA, moon phases arise from the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, changing the angles among the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases depict how the moon appears from Earth as it travels around us. We always view the same face of the moon, but the portion lit by the Sun shifts according to its orbital position. This leads to full moons, half moons, and moons that appear invisible. There are eight primary moon phases that follow a repetitive cycle:

New Moon – The moon is situated between Earth and the sun, making the side we observe dark (invisible to our sight).

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

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

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, but it hasn’t reached full brightness yet.

Full Moon – The entire surface of the moon is illuminated and fully observable.

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

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

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light lingers on the left side before it goes dark again.