We know it looks like it is, but the moon isn't full yet. In fact, there's still two days to go before this month's offering. But don't worry, there's still so much you can see tonight. Just keep reading to find out.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Monday, Nov. 3, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. There will be 94% of the moon lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.
The moon is so close to full, and there's so much to see. For those looking up without any visual aids, you'll find the Tycho Crater, Mare Fecunditatis, and, Oceanus Procellarum among the things you can see. With binoculars, your list of sighting grows, with a particularly high chance of seeing the Gassendi and Archimedes Craters and the Mare Frigoris. If you have a telescope, you'll also see the Rima Ariadaeus, the Apollo 15 and 16 landing spots, as well as the Fra Mauro Highlands.
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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 different phases as it travels around Earth over roughly 29.5 days. The phases result from the shifting angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. From our viewpoint, the moon can look fully lit, partially lit, or even vanish from sight, though we always see the same side. What changes is the amount of sunlight bouncing off its surface depending on its position in orbit; a repeating pattern called the lunar cycle.
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.
