tonight, stargazers are in for a treat! The moon is nearing its peak illumination, currently in the Waxing Gibbous phase and 99% lit, offering exceptional viewing opportunities. This nearly full moon is visible across all time zones,peaking in brightness after sunset.
According to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation,the lunar landscape is especially detailed during this phase. Without any equipment, observers can readily identify prominent features like Mare Imbrium (the Sea of Rains), a vast basaltic plain formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, the Kepler Crater, a relatively young impact crater measuring 32 kilometers (20 miles) in diameter, and Mare Vaporum (the Sea of Vapors), another large lunar mare.
Binoculars enhance the view, revealing Mare Humorum (the Sea of Moisture), a smaller mare known for its dark, smooth surface, the Endymion Crater, a 131-kilometer (81-mile) wide impact basin, and the Posidonius Crater, a complex crater with terraced walls and a central peak. For those with access to a telescope, even finer details come into focus, including the Descartes Highlands, a rugged, heavily cratered region explored by the Apollo 16 mission in 1972, the Schiller Crater, a relatively young crater with a shining ray system, and the Rupes Altai, a prominent lunar scarp stretching over 300 kilometers (186 miles) long and reaching heights of up to 8 kilometers (5 miles).
When to Catch the Next Full Moon
Mark your calendars! The next full moon is scheduled for August 9th. The previous full moon occurred on July 10th, and was known as the Buck Moon, a traditional Native American name referencing the time of year when new antlers emerge on male deer.
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Understanding moon phases: A Celestial Dance
As explained by NASA, the moon’s phases aren’t about the moon changing shape, but rather our perspective of how much of the sunlit side we can see. This is due to the moon’s 29.5-day orbital period around Earth, constantly shifting the angles between the Sun, Moon, and our planet. We always observe the same side of the moon – a phenomenon known as tidal locking – but the illuminated portion varies, creating the familiar cycle of phases.
Hear’s a breakdown of the eight primary moon phases:
New Moon – The moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, rendering the side facing us unlit and invisible.
Waxing Crescent – A slender sliver of light emerges on the right side (as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere), gradually increasing in size.
First Quarter – Exactly half of the moon’s face is illuminated on the right side, resembling a semi-circle.
Waxing Gibbous – More than half of the moon is lit, continuing to grow towards fullness.
Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is brightly illuminated, appearing as a complete circle.Different cultures have assigned specific names to each full moon based on the time of year and associated traditions (e.g., the Strawberry Moon in June).
Waning Gibbous – The illuminated portion begins to decrease on the right side.
Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Half of the moon is lit, but now on the left side.
Waning Crescent – A diminishing crescent of light remains on the left side before disappearing into the New moon phase.
