A new lunar phase is nearly upon us.
Written by Lois Mackenzie on March 10, 2026.
Can you discern any features on the Moon tonight? There’s much to discover; here’s what to observe.
Today’s Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. NASA’s Daily Moon Guide indicates that 61% of the Moon will be visible. With the naked eye, you might see Mare Imbrium, Mare Vaporum, and Tycho Crater. Binoculars can reveal more, such as the Alps Mountains, Apennine Mountains, and Alphonsus Crater. A telescope unveils Apollo 15, Fra Mauro Highlands, and the Caucasus Mountains.
The next Full Moon in North America is predicted for April 1.
The Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, experiencing eight phases. Though we constantly view the same Moon side, the sunlight reflection changes as it orbits, appearing full, half-lit, or a sliver at different times. These are the lunar phases:
1. New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so our view is dark.
2. Waxing Crescent: A small light sliver appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
3. First Quarter: Half of the Moon is illuminated on the right side.
4. Waxing Gibbous: Over half is lit, close to full.
5. Full Moon: The Moon’s face is fully visible.
6. Waning Gibbous: Light diminishes on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
7. Third Quarter: Another half-Moon, but the left side is lit.
8. Waning Crescent: A thin light sliver remains on the left side before darkening.
Lois Mackenzie is a freelance reporter with bylines in Fit&Well, Metro, and Coach magazine, typically covering deals and guides. She holds a Master’s in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Aberdeen.