Moon Phase Today: What the Moon Will Look Like on January 24, 2025
It's day six of the lunar cycle, and the Moon is well within our view. With its surface offering a plethora of visual delights, what can you see when you look up?
What is Today's Moon Phase?
As of Saturday, January 24, 2025, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 32% of the Moon will be illuminated tonight. While you might not have visual aids, you can still spot the Crisum, Serenitatis, and Fecunditatis mares. Binoculars will help you glimpse the Endymion Crater and Posidonius Crater. Telescope users can also observe the Apollo 11 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Rupes Altai.
When is the Next Full Moon?
The next Full Moon will grace the skies on February 1, 2025. The previous Full Moon was on January 3, 2025.
What are Moon Phases?
Moon phases are part of a repeating lunar cycle that lasts approximately 29 and a half days, according to NASA. This cycle is the time it takes for the Moon to orbit Earth once. During this journey, the Moon progresses through eight distinct stages. Despite always presenting the same face to Earth, the illuminated portion we see changes as its position shifts around the planet. This variation in sunlight angle is what causes the Moon to appear fully illuminated, partially lit, or nearly invisible at different times. The eight phases in the lunar cycle are:
- New Moon: The Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, so the side we see is dark (or invisible to the naked 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, resembling a half-Moon.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half is illuminated, but it's not yet full.
- Full Moon: The entire Moon face is illuminated and fully visible.
- Waning Gibbous: The Moon begins to lose 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 it goes dark again.
