By Mashable | Created at 2026-09-25 13:47:06 | Updated at 2026-09-25 14:34:43
1 hour ago
The Moon is almost completely full in the sky, so tonight, there's another chance to spot some of the features that stand out on its surface. Here's what to look for if you've got clear skies.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Friday, Sept. 25, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, with 98% of its surface visible.
With just your naked eye, tonight you can see the Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Posidonius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Frigoris. On top of this, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots, and the Schiller Crater.
When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.
What are Moon phases?
The Moon goes through a repeating cycle as it orbits Earth, taking roughly 29.5 days to complete. During that time, the amount of its sunlit side visible from Earth changes, giving us the different lunar phases. It starts with a slim crescent, grows to a half Moon and eventually reaches the Full Moon, before beginning the cycle again. NASA explains that which phase we see depends on where the Moon is in relation to Earth and the Sun.
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.
