As of November 29, 2025, the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, meaning approximately 63% of its surface is illuminated. This means that the moon will continue to grow brighter each night before reaching its peak on December 4th.
What You Can See Tonight
Even without special equipment, keen observers can spot prominent lunar features like the Tranquillitatis and Serenitatis maria (dark volcanic plains) and the Tycho crater. Binoculars will reveal finer details such as the Endymion, Alphonsus, and Clavius craters. For those with telescopes, the Apollo 15 and 16 landing sites, as well as the rugged Fra Mauro Highlands, are within reach.
Upcoming Supermoon
The next full moon, occurring on December 4th, will be a supermoon. This means it will appear larger and brighter in the sky due to its closer proximity to Earth in its elliptical orbit. This will be the third consecutive supermoon this month. The previous full moon occurred on November 5th.
Understanding Lunar Phases
The Moon’s appearance changes throughout its roughly 29.5-day cycle. These changes, known as phases, are caused by the shifting angles at which sunlight hits the lunar surface as it orbits Earth. Despite always showing the same face towards us, the amount of illumination varies, resulting in eight distinct phases:
- New Moon: The Moon is between the Earth and Sun, making its visible side dark.
- Waxing Crescent: A small sliver of light appears 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 it’s not yet full.
- Full Moon: The entire visible face is lit.
- Waning Gibbous: The Moon begins to lose light on the right side.
- Third Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated on the left side.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before becoming dark again.
These phases are a fundamental aspect of lunar observation, and understanding them allows for a deeper appreciation of our celestial neighbor.
