Moon phase today: What the moon will look like on November 18
Tonight, November 18, the moon is in its Waning Crescent phase, with only 3% of its surface illuminated. This phase is characterized by a slim sliver of light, making it nearly impossible to see the moon clearly. As we approach the New Moon phase, which marks the start of a new lunar cycle, the moon will become even less visible over the next few days. The New Moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, resulting in the side facing Earth being completely dark. This phenomenon is a natural part of the lunar cycle, which repeats approximately every 29.5 days, as detailed by NASA.
For lunar enthusiasts, the anticipation builds as we await the next full moon, scheduled for December 4. This full moon will be particularly special as it will be the final one in a series of three consecutive supermoons, where the moon appears larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth. The last full moon occurred on November 5, providing a striking visual for stargazers. Understanding the various phases of the moon enhances our appreciation of these celestial events. The eight primary moon phases include the New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent. Each phase presents a unique view of the moon, influenced by its position relative to the Earth and the sun.
As we transition from the Waning Crescent to the New Moon, it serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of our universe. The moon’s phases not only impact tides and wildlife behavior but also inspire cultural and spiritual practices around the world. So, while tonight’s moon may be too faint to see, it sets the stage for the upcoming full moon, an event that promises to captivate and inspire. Whether you’re an avid astronomer or simply enjoy gazing at the night sky, each phase of the moon offers a moment to reflect on the beauty and rhythm of nature.
There’s still a small sliver of moon on display tonight, but not so much to see anything. This is because we’re approaching the New Moon phase of the lunar cycle. Keep reading to find out what exactly this means.
What is today’s moon phase?
As of Tuesday, Nov. 18, the
moon
phase is Waning Crescent. This means 3% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to
NASA’s Daily Moon Observation
.
Don’t strain your eyes tonight, there’s too little moon to see anything. As we move towards the next lunar cycle, the moon will be small (and even out of sight) for a few days.
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 are part of a recurring lunar cycle (every 29.5 days), according to
NASA
. These phases 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 hitting it changes throughout its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all (aka, 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.
