Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on January 14
We're nearing the end of the current lunar cycle, with just a few days of visibility left. However, there's still a sliver visible tonight, so grab your binoculars or telescope and see what you can spot.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 17% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.
With no visual aids tonight, you should be able to spot the Aristarchus Plateau. This is positioned to the far left of the moon, in the middle. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, it'll be the right side of the moon. If you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope, these will help you to see the Grimaldi Basin.
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When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.
What are Moon phases?
Moon phases are what make up the lunar cycle, a phase that NASA tells us takes about 29.5 days. This is the time that the Moon takes to complete a full orbit. As it moves around Earth, it goes through a series of eight distinct phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, but the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can sometimes appear full, partially lit, or completely dark. The eight phases that make up the lunar cycle 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.
