Ever noticed the moon looking a bit smaller lately? That’s due to the lunar cycle, which shows different phases of the moon. Right now, we’re moving towards the New Moon. Let’s explore what this means!
Today, the moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with about 96% of its surface lit up. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, this phase is a great time to look for features on the moon’s surface. With the naked eye, you might spot the Oceanus Procellarum and Kepler Crater. If you have binoculars, try to find the Posidonius and Alphonsus craters or the Grimaldi Basin. And if you own a telescope, check out the landing sites of Apollo 11 and 12, plus the Linne Crater.
The next full moon will occur on January 3. Keep your eyes on the night sky; it will be bright and beautiful!
Want to know more about moon phases? NASA describes the lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days. As the moon orbits Earth, the sunlight reflecting off its surface varies, creating different looks. Here’s a quick rundown of the eight distinct phases:
- New Moon: The moon is between Earth and the sun, so it’s dark.
- Waxing Crescent: A small sliver of light appears on the right.
- First Quarter: Half of the moon is lit; it looks like a half-moon.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half is lit but not quite full.
- Full Moon: The entire face is illuminated.
- Waning Gibbous: The moon starts losing light on the right side.
- Third Quarter: The left side is now lit, appearing as another half-moon.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left before it goes dark again.
Interestingly, according to a recent survey, over 60% of people feel more connected to nature when observing the moon. This connection might spark curiosity about space and our place in the universe. As you look up at the moon, remember that millions of others are sharing the same view, experiencing the wonder of this celestial body together.
Stay tuned for more cosmic updates, and keep gazing at the sky!
