Today’s Moon Phase: How the Moon Appears on January 19
January 19 marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle. Tonight, stargazers can expect to see the Moon in its Waxing Crescent phase. This means only a small portion of the lunar surface will be illuminated.
Today’s Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
As of this evening, 1% of the Moon will shine, allowing a thin sliver to become visible in the night sky. Though this illumination is minimal, it sets the stage for a more prominent crescent over the coming days.
Upcoming Full Moon
The next Full Moon will occur on February 1. The previous Full Moon was on January 3, showcasing the cyclical nature of lunar phases.
Understanding Moon Phases
Moon phases are part of the lunar cycle, which NASA identifies as lasting about 29.5 days. This is the time required for the Moon to orbit the Earth completely.
The Moon undergoes eight phases during its cycle. These phases showcase varying amounts of sunlight reflecting off its surface:
- New Moon: The Moon is between the Earth and the sun, rendering it invisible.
- 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, resembling a half-Moon.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is lit, but it is not fully illuminated.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is visible and fully illuminated.
- Waning Gibbous: The Moon starts to lose light on the right side.
- Third Quarter: Again, a half-Moon is visible, but the left side is now lit.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light occurs on the left side before it goes dark.
As the lunar cycle progresses, each phase brings a unique view of the Moon. Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for updates and insights on the night sky.
