Tonight, the Moon is nearly full, and that means its surface stands out more than usual. If you step outside with clear skies, you can see several of the features that mark the lunar landscape. The Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum are visible to the naked eye. Binoculars add the Posidonius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Frigoris. A telescope pushes the view further, showing the Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots and the Schiller Crater.
Here is what you need to know about the Moon’s current phase and what to look for in the sky.
What Is Today’s Moon Phase?
The Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase as of Friday, Sept. 25. NASA’s Daily Moon Guide tracker shows 98% of its surface visible. That means the Moon is growing toward full but has not reached it yet.
The term “waxing” comes from the Latin word for growing, and “gibbous” means hump-shaped. In this phase, more than half of the Moon is lit, but it is not quite full. The remaining 2% of the dark side will fill in over the next day or two until the Moon reaches its fullest shape.
Seeing the Moon Without Equipment
The easiest way to observe the Moon is with nothing more than your eyes. The three mare seas — Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, and Oceanus Procellarum — are visible during the Waxing Gibbous phase.
These seas are not water at all. They are vast plains of solidified lava, darker than the surrounding terrain, which makes them stand out.
If you want to see more detail, binoculars are an effective upgrade. The Posidonius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Mare Frigoris become visible through modest magnification. These features are smaller and require a bit more light gathering than the naked eye can manage.
A telescope opens the door to even more detail. The Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots are visible through a modest instrument. The Schiller Crater shows structure at higher magnification.
The Eight Phases of the Moon
The Moon goes through a repeating cycle as it orbits Earth. It takes roughly 29.5 days to complete one cycle. During that time, the amount of its sunlit side visible from Earth changes, giving us the different lunar phases.
The cycle starts with a New Moon, when the Moon is between Earth and the sun and its dark side faces us. It grows through the Waxing Crescent and First Quarter phases until it reaches Full Moon. Then it wanes through the Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases before starting again.
| Phase | Position Relative to Earth and Sun | What Is Visible |
|---|---|---|
| New Moon | Between Earth and the sun | Invisible |
| Waxing Crescent | Moving away from Earth | Thin sliver of light |
| First Quarter | Halfway between New and Full | Half-lit on the right side |
| Waxing Gibbous | Nearly full but not quite | More than half lit |
| Full Moon | Opposite Earth from the Sun | Fully lit |
| Waning Gibbous | Moving past full | More than half lit |
| Third Quarter | Halfway between Full and New | Half-lit on the left side |
| Waning Crescent | Moving toward New | Thin sliver of light |
The Moon’s phases depend on its position in relation to Earth and the Sun. When the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, we see nothing at all. When it is opposite Earth from the Sun, we see the whole face. The intermediate phases show partial illumination.
What To See Tonight
The best time to observe the Moon is when it is high in the sky, around midnight. Focus on the Moon’s surface rather than the surrounding night sky.
Start with the naked eye to locate the mare seas. Then move to binoculars for the craters. A telescope will let you see the landing spots and the Schiller Crater. Each step requires a little more equipment.
The Next Full Moon
The Moon reaches its fullest shape on September 26. That is the next Full Moon after tonight’s near-full Waxing Gibbous. After that, the cycle begins again.
The Full Moon occurs when the Moon is opposite Earth from the Sun. Its entire face is illuminated, making it appear round and bright in the sky. The Waxing Gibbous phase is the stage just before that, when the Moon is nearly but not quite full.
How To Observe the Moon
Observing the Moon requires the right tools. Start with your eyes, then add binoculars, and finally a telescope if you have one. The key is to find a clear location with minimal light pollution.
The Moon’s phases are a natural calendar. They repeat predictably, so you can plan your observations weeks in advance. Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous is a good opportunity to practice identifying features before the Full Moon arrives.
Why This Matters
Observing the Moon connects you to a long history of human observation. Ancient civilizations tracked its phases to mark time. Modern astronomers use telescopes to study its geology. Amateur observers today can see the same features that scientists have studied for centuries.
The Apollo landing spots are a particular highlight. They mark significant locations on the Moon. Seeing them through a telescope puts you in direct contact with that moment in history.
The craters you can see tonight were formed by impacts billions of years ago. They tell a story of the Moon’s violent past. Observing them is a way of reading that history in real time.
What To Look For Tonight
Tonight’s Moon is nearly full, so the features are visible. The mare seas are large and obvious. The craters are smaller but still visible through binoculars.
Here is the order of what you can see:
- The three mare seas — Crisium, Fecunditatis, and Procellarum — are visible to the naked eye.
- The Posidonius, Alphonsus, and Mare Frigoris features become visible with binoculars.
- The Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots and the Schiller Crater are visible through a telescope.
Each step builds on the last. You can start with your eyes and work your way up as you gain confidence.
The Bottom Line
Tonight’s nearly full Moon offers a great opportunity to see the Moon’s surface. The Mare Crisium, Mare Fecunditatis, and Oceanus Procellarum are visible to the naked eye. Binoculars add the Posidonius, Alphonsus, and Mare Frigoris. A telescope reveals the Apollo landing spots and the Schiller Crater.
The Moon’s phases are a natural calendar that has guided humanity for thousands of years. Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous is a reminder of that cycle.
Step outside, look up, and see what the Moon has to show you.
Source material: “Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on September 25, 2026,” Mashable.
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