Today’s Moon Phase: How the Moon Will Appear on April 27

We are nearing the Full Moon, with the moon shining brightly in the sky. It’s the 10th day of the lunar cycle, offering plenty to observe with so much of its surface visible. The current Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous, with 82% of the moon illuminated, as stated by NASA’s Daily Moon Guide. Without visual aids, you can spot Mares Vaproum, Tranquillitatis, and Fecunditatis. With binoculars, you’ll see Mares Frigoris and Nectaris, and the Apennine Mountains. A telescope will reveal the Apollo 15 landing site, Rima Hyginus, and the Fra Mauro Highlands. The next Full Moon is expected on May 1, the first of two in May. The Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, passing through eight phases. Despite always having the same face turned to us, the part illuminated by the Sun changes as it moves along its path, resulting in familiar cycles of full, half, and crescent shapes. These are the lunar phases: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.