Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on August 5
We're approaching the end of another lunar cycle as we get closer to the New Moon. The lunar cycle is a roughly 29.5-day journey that sees the Moon transition through eight distinct phases, from New Moon to Full Moon and back again. Keep reading to find out where we are in the cycle as of Aug. 5.
What is today’s Moon phase?
As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waning Gibbous phase, with 59% of its surface visible.
As the moon hits day 22 of the lunar cycle, visibility is decreasing significantly. But there's still more than a 50% chance of spotting some lunar features. For example, with just your naked eye, tonight you can spot the Aristarchus Plateau, Kepler Crater, and the Tycho Crater. If you have a pair of binoculars, these will help you see the Gassendi and Clavius Craters and the Apennine Mountains. Those with access to a telescope will also be able to see the Apollo 12 landing spot and the Rima Ariadaeus.
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When is the next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.
What are Moon phases?
The Moon's appearance changes throughout the month as it orbits Earth, completing one full lunar cycle approximately every 29.5 days, according to NASA. During that journey, the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are constantly shifting, altering how much of the Moon's illuminated surface is visible from our perspective. That's why we see the familiar sequence of phases, from a slim crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before the pattern begins again.
The eight phases 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.
