By Mashable | Created at 2026-08-07 06:24:55 | Updated at 2026-08-07 12:11:04
8 hours ago
The lunar cycle is now in its final phase before the New Moon, when the illuminated side of the Moon faces away from Earth, making it virtually invisible in the night sky.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Friday, Aug. 7, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Crescent phase, with 37% of its surface visible.
We're down to the last few nights of being able to spot lunar features. Without visual aids, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Aristarchus Plateau and the Copernicus Crater. Binoculars will bring more into view, including the Grimaldi Basin, the Gassendi Crater, and the Mare Humorum. If you have access to a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Schiller Crater and the Apollo 12 landing spot.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.
What are Moon phases?
The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits Earth, completing one full lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. During that journey, the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are constantly shifting, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible from our perspective. That's why we see the familiar sequence of phases, from a slim crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.
The eight phases are:
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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).
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.
