As of today, February 19, 2025, the Moon is in its Waxing Crescent phase. This means a small sliver of the Moon is becoming visible in the night sky, growing brighter each night. Currently, approximately 4% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated by sunlight.
What Are Moon Phases?
The Moon orbits Earth in roughly 29.5 days, and during this cycle, its appearance changes as different portions of its surface are lit by the Sun. This creates the phases we observe from Earth. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the amount of light we see varies depending on the Moon’s position in its orbit.
The eight distinct phases are:
- New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, making it appear dark.
- Waxing Crescent: A thin sliver of light begins to appear on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
- First Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated on the right side.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is lit, but not fully.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is visible and brightly lit.
- Waning Gibbous: The Moon begins to lose light on the right side.
- Third Quarter (Last Quarter): Half of the Moon is lit on the left side.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before it becomes dark again.
When to Expect the Next Full Moon
The next Full Moon will occur on March 3, 2025. The previous Full Moon was visible on February 1, 2025.
Understanding these cycles helps stargazers and anyone curious about celestial events track the Moon’s journey across the night sky. The Moon’s phases have been observed and recorded for millennia, influencing calendars, mythology, and even agriculture in many cultures.
