Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on November 21
As of November 21, the moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase, marking the beginning of a new lunar cycle. Currently, only 2% of the moon’s surface is illuminated, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye. This phase signifies the transition from the New Moon, where the moon is completely dark, to the First Quarter, where half of the moon is lit. Over the next few nights, stargazers can expect to see the moon gradually becoming brighter, culminating in the next full moon on December 4. This upcoming full moon is particularly noteworthy as it will be the last of three consecutive supermoons, a phenomenon where the moon appears larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth.
Understanding moon phases is essential for appreciating the lunar cycle, which lasts about 29.5 days. As the moon orbits our planet, the amount of sunlight it reflects changes, resulting in the eight distinct phases that we observe. These phases include the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent. Each phase offers a unique view of the moon, with the Full Moon showcasing its entire illuminated surface, while the New Moon marks a time of darkness. This cyclical nature of the moon not only influences tides on Earth but also captivates the imagination of astronomers and casual observers alike. As we embark on this new lunar cycle, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the beauty and mystery of the moon and its phases.
It’s day one of a new lunar cycle, so the moon’s barely there tonight. You won’t really see anything on its surface, but it’s just starting to get brighter again, it’ll gradually show more in the next few nights.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Friday Nov. 21, the
moon
phase is Waxing Crescent. This means 2% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to
NASA’s Daily Moon Observation
. There’s not enough moon lit up to spot anything on its surface tonight either.
When is the next full moon?
The next full moon will be on Dec. 4, this will be the last of three consecutive supermoons. The
last full moon was on Nov. 5
.
What are moon phases?
Moon phases are part of a repeating lunar cycle that lasts about 29.5 days, according to
NASA
. They describe how the moon appears from Earth as it orbits our planet. While we always see the same side of the moon, the amount of sunlight illuminating it changes throughout its orbit. That’s why sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes disappears entirely (the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases:
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.
