What type of moon phase is it tonight

As a result, the amount of sunlight that reflects off the Moon and travels to our eyes changes every day. The Moon itself produces no light of its own. The length of the cycle can vary slightly, but on average, it is The primary phases occur at a specific moment, no matter where you are on Earth, which is then converted to local time. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be able to see the exact moment of a phase, in part because the Moon may not have risen yet in your area.

The secondary phases, however, represent a span of time rather than a specific moment. This phase is named as such because it starts a new lunar cycle. But if we were to travel to the other side of the Moon, the part that faces the Sun, it would be totally illuminated. These events are only visible from a small portion of Earth and require special eye protection to be viewed safely. Read more about solar eclipses here! The months of some calendars, such as the Chinese lunisolar calendar, begin at the time of the new or dark Moon.

This phase occurs between the new Moon and first quarter phases. At the beginning of this stage, we see a thin, crescent-shape Moon, which, in the Northern Hemisphere, appears on the right side. In the Southern Hemisphere, the same thing happens, only on the left side.

Some lunar and lunisolar calendars, such as the Islamic or Hijri calendar, define the start of a month as when the Moon first becomes visible, which is usually a day or so after the new Moon, during its waxing crescent stage. In fact, both the first and last quarter phases are sometimes called a Half Moon. During a first quarter phase, the Moon is said to be at east quadrature, meaning that it is 90 degrees east of the Sun when viewed from Earth.

This phase occurs between the first quarter and full Moon and describes the Moon when it is more than half lit, but not yet fully. At the beginning of this stage in the Northern Hemisphere, we see the right half of the Moon illuminated plus a tiny fraction more extending into the left side. The moon phase is a Waxing Gibbous. The second phase of the moon - a gap between the first quarter of the moon and the full moon.

During this period, continued strong growth in the moon. For the second phase is typical even more significant rise in energy and internal forces, strongly expressed activity. In the business sphere begins opportune time for scheduled cases, tackling difficult issues and problems. Cases requiring large activity will be given it is easy. However, there is a straightforward explanation. The reason this happens is that the time refers to the exact moment when the Sun and Moon are aligned on opposite sides of the Earth.

This moment is known as the 'syzygy' of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, and can happen at any time day or night. The Moon will still look full either on the night before or the evening after the exact moment of 'full Moon'.

When is the next lunar eclipse? The moment when the Moon is closest to the Earth is called a lunar perigee. When the Moon is furthest away it is known as a lunar apogee. If the lunar perigee occurs very close to a full Moon, then we see what is known as a Supermoon.

If a lunar apogee occurs very close to a full Moon then we see a Micromoon. Learn more about supermoons. What is a full Moon? Travel to the Moon See amazing space photography at Astronomy Photographer of the Year, the largest astrophotography competition in the world Visit the exhibition See the winning images.

How often does a full Moon occur? Want more space and astronomy? Sign up. Is there a full Moon every month? The Royal Observatory is open Visit the historic home of UK astronomy, or take a spin round the universe at London's only planetarium Visit the Royal Observatory Planetarium shows and courses.

When is the next full Moon? Never miss a moon Let our practical astronomy guides, approved by Royal Observatory astronomers, help you navigate the night sky.

Written and illustrated by astronomical experts, Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion, and approved by the astronomers of Royal Observatory Greenwich Buy Now. Hunting Moon. A playful silhouette places an Earth-bound Moon-catcher in pursuit of the waxing crescent Moon in the early evening sky.