Moon Phase Today
Illumination
14.8%
Moon Age
3.7 days
NASA Frame
#0521
Waxing Crescent
Light is growing on the lunar disk today. The shadow edge makes craters and relief stand out in high-contrast detail.
Observing Waxing Crescent
During the waxing moon, the terminator sweeps across the near side. Near this border, crater walls and mountains stand out clearly.
Terminator Observation
The light-shadow boundary (terminator) shows maximum crater contrast. Shadows highlight details that are invisible at full moon.
Earthshine
During thin crescent phases, you can often see the dark side of the moon glowing faintly. This is sunlight reflected from Earth.
Sunset Gazing
A waxing crescent is best viewed in the early evening. It stands high in the western sky right after sunset.
Moon Gazing FAQ
How is the moon phase today calculated?
The page calculates the current moon phase in the browser from astronomical moon data and maps it to a phase such as New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Full Moon, or Waning Crescent.
Why doesn't the moon look the same every day?
The moon orbits the Earth. As a result, we see a different portion of its illuminated side every day. In addition, libration slightly alters the visible lunar surface.
Is full moon always the best time to observe?
Full moon is impressively bright, but for crater details, first/last quarters and crescent phases are often more exciting because the shadows are longer.
What is the difference between a waxing and waning moon?
With the waxing moon, the visible light increases until the full moon. After that, the illumination decreases again until the next new moon is reached.