The Moon is gradually emerging from its dark phase, with a slim crescent of light currently visible in the night sky. As of today, December 22, 2025, only 6% of the Moon’s surface is illuminated – meaning surface features like craters and mares are not yet visible. However, the illuminated portion will grow steadily over the coming nights.
Current Phase and Visibility
Today’s Moon phase is officially Waxing Crescent. This means the Moon is in the early stages of growing fuller after the New Moon. The thin crescent will appear on the right side for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to the minimal illumination, no lunar details are visible to the naked eye at this time.
Upcoming Full Moon
The next Full Moon is scheduled for January 3rd, 2026. For reference, the last Full Moon occurred on December 4th, 2025. These lunar cycles are predictable, but remain a constant source of fascination for skywatchers.
Understanding Lunar Phases: A Quick Guide
The Moon’s phases are a result of its orbit around Earth and how sunlight reflects off its surface. It takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one full lunar cycle. Here’s a breakdown of the eight key phases:
- New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, rendering its visible side dark.
- Waxing Crescent: A sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
- First Quarter: Half of the Moon is lit, resembling a half-moon.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is illuminated, but not yet full.
- Full Moon: The entire visible face is lit, providing maximum brightness.
- Waning Gibbous: The illuminated portion begins to decrease on the right side.
- Third Quarter: Another half-moon, with the left side now lit.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver remains on the left side before disappearing into the New Moon phase again.
These phases are not just an astronomical phenomenon, but also affect tides, animal behavior, and even cultural beliefs across many societies.
The Moon will continue to brighten over the next few nights, and soon enough, its full glory will be on display.
