The Moon is nearing a new lunar phase, the Third Quarter. This occurs half of the Moon’s surface appears illuminated, with the visible portion continuing to shrink each night as we move towards the New Moon.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Thursday, April 9, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 59% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.
There's plenty for you to see on the surface of the Moon tonight, even if you don't have any visual aids. Just looking up with your eyes, you should be able to see the Mare Imbrium, Tycho Crater, and the Kepler Crater. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Alps Mountains, and the Apennine Mountains. Finally, if you have a telescope, expect to see features like the Apollo 12 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and the Rima Ariadaeus.
You May Also Like
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.
What are Moon phases?
According to NASA, it takes the Moon roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct stages during that time. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes as it moves, which is why it can look full, partly lit, or just a slim crescent. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Mashable Light Speed
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.