We're a day away from another lunar phase which can mean one thing; the moon is almost half back to us. After last week's New Moon, it's been slowly coming back. And there is lots to find out and see with tonight's moon.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, Oct. 28, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. There will be 39% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.
Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Crisium, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Mare Serenitatis. With a pair of binoculars you'll see even more, including the Endymion Crater, Mare Nectaris and the Posidonius Crater. By adding a telescope to your set up, you should also be able to spot the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Valentine Dome, a volcanic dome NASA tells us is almost the same heigh as the Eiffel Tower. It’s nicknamed the Valentine because it looks like a heart in certain lights
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When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.
What are moon phases?
NASA explains that the moon goes through phases as it completes its 29.5-day orbit around Earth. The changing angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth cause the different phases we observe. From Earth, the moon can look full, partially lit, or even disappear entirely, but we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight reflected from its surface, depending on its position in orbit.
The eight main moon phases are:
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.
Lois Mackenzie is a freelance reporter at Mashable. Over the years she has written for many publications, covering everything from the local news to the best pair of running shoes. You can find bylines in publications including Fit&Well, Metro, and Coach magazine, usually covering deals on everything from earbuds to TVs, or guides on how to beat your half marathon time.
Lois also holds a Master's degree in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and obtained a Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen.
