It’s the beginning of a new lunar cycle. The New Moon has passed, and each night the Moon will appear larger in our skies, culminating with the next Full Moon on April 1 in Northern America. Other regions may see the Full Moon on April 2, due to time zone differences.
### What is today’s Moon phase?
On Friday, March 20, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent, with 2% of the Moon illuminated tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.
### When is the next Full Moon?
In North America, the next Full Moon is expected on April 1.
### What are Moon phases?
According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, experiencing eight different phases. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the Sun lights up different parts, resulting in various phases: full, half, or a sliver. These phases are:
– **New Moon**: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, making the side we see dark.
– **Waxing Crescent**: A small sliver of light is visible on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
– **First Quarter**: Half of the Moon is lit on the right side, appearing like a half-Moon.
– **Waxing Gibbous**: More than half is illuminated but not fully.
– **Full Moon**: The Moon’s entire face is fully illuminated.
– **Waning Gibbous**: Light begins to diminish on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere).
– **Third Quarter (or Last Quarter)**: Another half-Moon, with the left side illuminated.
– **Waning Crescent**: A thin sliver of light remains on the left before turning dark again.
Lois Mackenzie is a freelance reporter for Mashable with a diverse writing portfolio. She has contributed to Fit&Well, Metro, and Coach magazine, focusing on product deals and running guides. Lois holds a Master’s degree in Digital Journalism from Strathclyde University and a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Aberdeen.