The Moon is starting to look a little less full as we move through the Waning Gibbous phase, and the third quarter Moon is next on the lunar calendar. What is the moon phase today? As of Friday, October 30, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us that the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 78% of its surface visible. Tonight, without the use of visual aids, you should be able to spot Tycho Crater, Copernicus Crater, and Mare Serenitatis. Binoculars will also help you see Alphonsus Crater, Clavius Crater, and the Apennine Mountains. And, if you have access to a telescope, you’ll also see the Apollo 14 landing site, Schiller Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains. When is the next Full Moon? The next Full Moon will take place on November 24. What are the phases of the Moon? The Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one orbit around the Earth, passing through a series of phases along the way. Depending on its position relative to the Earth and the Sun, the amount of its illuminated surface that we can see changes, creating the familiar sequence of half moon, quarter moon, and full moon. Once the cycle is complete, the pattern repeats, as NASA explains. The eight phases are: New Moon of changing light speed: The Moon is between the Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it is invisible to the eye). Waxing Crescent: A small strip of light appears on the right side (northern hemisphere). First quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated on the right side. It looks like a half moon. Growing gibbous: More than half is illuminated, but not yet full. 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. (Northern Hemisphere) Third quarter (or last quarter): Another crescent, but now the left side is illuminated. Waning crescent: A thin band of light remains on the left side before it darkens again.
