The full moon is just a day out, so what does that mean for tonights moon? Keep reading to find out.
Today is the 14th day of the lunar cycle, a recurring series of eight unique phases of the moons visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days (according to NASA), and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. The moon is always there, but what we see on Earth changes depending on how much it is lit up.
See whats happening with the moon tonight, July 9.
As of Tuesday, July 9, the moon phase is still Waxing Gibbous. From Earth, 98% of the moon will appear visible NASAs Daily Moon Observation tells us.
Most of the moons surface is lit up for us tonight, so theres plenty to see. If youre in the Northern Hemisphere, look to the center of the moon for the Copernicus Crater, and the top right for the Mare Serenitatis, and the Mare Tranquillitatis. If youre in the Southern Hemisphere, these will be located on the bottom left.
With binoculars, youll also be able to catch a glimpse of the Alps Mountains, Grimaldi Basin, and the Mare Humorum. Add a telescope and youll see Apollo 14, Linne Crater, and the Caucasus Mountains, a range around 323 miles long, NASA tells us.
This months full moon will take place tomorrow, July 10.
Moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:
New Moon – The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, its 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.
Last Quarter (or Third 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.
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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 Masters degree in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and obtained a Master of Arts in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen.