Discover Today’s Moon Phase: What to Expect in the Night Sky on August 23, 2025

Tonight, the moon is nowhere to be seen. This marks Day Zero of the lunar cycle, which is made up of eight distinct phases over about 29.5 days. The Sun lights up different parts of the moon as it orbits Earth, creating these phases.

As of today, August 23, it’s officially a New Moon. This means there’s 0% visibility, so there’s nothing for us to spot on the moon’s surface tonight.

The next full moon will shine brightly on September 7, following the last full moon on August 9. But what exactly causes these moon phases?

According to NASA, the various phases of the moon occur due to its changing position relative to the Sun and Earth. We always see the same side of the moon, but the amount of light it reflects changes based on where it is in its orbit. This cycle creates eight main phases:

• New Moon: The moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, making it dark and invisible.
• Waxing Crescent: A sliver of light appears on the right side.
• First Quarter: Half of the moon is illuminated on the right side.
• Waxing Gibbous: More than half is lit but it’s not full yet.
• Full Moon: The entire face of the moon is illuminated.
• Waning Gibbous: The moon begins to lose light on the right side.
• Last Quarter: Half of the moon is lit again, but now the left side is shining.
• Waning Crescent: A thin light remains on the left side before it goes dark again.

Interestingly, moon phases have been observed and documented for centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans even tied their calendars to the lunar phases. Today, the moon still captivates many, inspiring art and science alike. With the rise of social media, there’s a growing trend of capturing moon phases in photography, particularly during full moons, when the sky is most dramatic.

Whether you’re stargazing or just looking for a reason to pause and admire the night sky, understanding these phases can enrich your experience. For more detailed observations, you can visit NASA’s [Daily Moon Observation](https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-observation/daily-moon-guide/?intent=011).

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