Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on March 9
Can you see anything on the Moon's surface when you look up tonight? There's lots to spot, so keep reading to see exactly what you're looking at.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Monday, March 9, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 61% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
This guide from NASA helps us to understand what we're looking at. For example, with no visual aids its very possible that you'll be able to see the Mare Imbrium, the Mare Vaporum, and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you'll be able to see even more, including the Gassendi, Archimedes Crater, and Clavius Crater. If you have a telescope, you'll see so much more, including the Apollo 12 landing spot, Rima Ariadaeus, and the Caucasus Mountains.
When is the next Full Moon?
In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.
What are Moon phases?
NASA says the Moon takes about 29.5 days to circle Earth, while it moves through a set of eight phases. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the portion lit by the Sun changes as it travels, which is why it can look full, half-lit, or barely visible at different points in the cycle. These changing views are what we call the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:
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.