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Mastercard denies pressuring game platforms, Valve tells a different story | TechCrunch

Mastercard denies pressuring game platforms, Valve tells a different story | TechCrunch

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The outcry after a recent marketplace crackdown on games with adult content, seemingly due to pressure from payment processors, prompted Mastercard to release a brief statement Friday pushing back against recent headlines.

“Mastercard has not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations,” the company said, adding, “At the same time, we require merchants to have appropriate controls to ensure Mastercard cards cannot be used for unlawful purchases, including illegal adult content.”

This follows an open letter by the advocacy group Collective Shout addressed to executives at Paypal, Mastercard, Visa, and other companies, criticizing them for allowing the sale of “No Mercy” and other games that depict rape, incest, and child sexual abuse.

In the following weeks, Steam announced that it would ban games that violate the rules of its “payment processors and related card networks and banks.” Then Itch.io said it was removing games with adult content from its browse and search pages while conducting a broader audit.

While Mastercard’s statement seems to undermine the narrative that payment and card companies were the ones pressuring the game marketplaces, Steam owner Valve responded with a statement of its own, provided to PC Gamer and other gaming sites.

According to Valve, “Mastercard did not communicate with Valve directly, despite our request to do so. Mastercard communicated with payment processors and their acquiring banks. Payment processors communicated this with Valve, and we replied by outlining Steam’s policy since 2018 of attempting to distribute games that are legal for distribution.”

Valve said its response was “rejected” by the payment processors, who noted the “risk to the Mastercard brand” and pointed to a Mastercard rule against “illegal or brand-damaging transactions.”

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Meanwhile, Itch.io said that it’s now re-indexing free games with adult content while negotiating with payment processors including Stripe, which for its part said it’s “unable to support sexually explicit content” due to “banking partners.”

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Three months until Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we’ve got a look at some of its Lego toys.

Revealed a few days ago, buyers can look forward to two sets and one figure based on the film. The first set, “Prison Transport Chase,” comes in 367 pieces and has Spidey going up against Tarantula and Tombstone, with a DODC guard along for the ride. Users can build the transport and have it so that Spider-Man’s trying to stop Tarantula from busting out Tombstone, or he’s fighting both enemies and protecting the guard at the same time. Since we know Spidey fights ninjas in the prison at some point in Brand New Day, think of the toy as a potential appetizer for that setpiece.

“Spider-Man vs. Hulk Epic Clash” teams Peter with the strongest Avenger to fight Scorpion, Tarantula, and Boomerang to save a hot dog vendor. A trigger in the building’s rear makes the 534-piece set’s front blast open to reveal the large Hulk figure, and posting sticks will let you put characters on the DODC building’s upper levels to simulate midair fights.

Lastly, we’ve got a Spider-Man Hero Figure. At 813 pieces, you can recreate the hero and use detachable webs so he can swing cinematically. It also comes with a little Spider-Man minifig, helpful if you need to replace one you lost.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters on July 31. All three of these release on June 1 and will individually cost you $50 for “Prison Transport, $90 for “Spider-Man vs. Hulk”, and $100 for the Spidey figure.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#SpiderMan #Brand #Day #Legos #Arrive #SummerLego,Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Brand New Day">First ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Legos Arrive This Summer Three months until Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we’ve got a look at some of its Lego toys. Revealed a few days ago, buyers can look forward to two sets and one figure based on the film. The first set, “Prison Transport Chase,” comes in 367 pieces and has Spidey going up against Tarantula and Tombstone, with a DODC guard along for the ride. Users can build the transport and have it so that Spider-Man’s trying to stop Tarantula from busting out Tombstone, or he’s fighting both enemies and protecting the guard at the same time. Since we know Spidey fights ninjas in the prison at some point in Brand New Day, think of the toy as a potential appetizer for that setpiece. “Spider-Man vs. Hulk Epic Clash” teams Peter with the strongest Avenger to fight Scorpion, Tarantula, and Boomerang to save a hot dog vendor. A trigger in the building’s rear makes the 534-piece set’s front blast open to reveal the large Hulk figure, and posting sticks will let you put characters on the DODC building’s upper levels to simulate midair fights. Lastly, we’ve got a Spider-Man Hero Figure. At 813 pieces, you can recreate the hero and use detachable webs so he can swing cinematically. It also comes with a little Spider-Man minifig, helpful if you need to replace one you lost. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters on July 31. All three of these release on June 1 and will individually cost you for “Prison Transport, for “Spider-Man vs. Hulk”, and 0 for the Spidey figure. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #SpiderMan #Brand #Day #Legos #Arrive #SummerLego,Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we’ve got a look at some of its Lego toys.

Revealed a few days ago, buyers can look forward to two sets and one figure based on the film. The first set, “Prison Transport Chase,” comes in 367 pieces and has Spidey going up against Tarantula and Tombstone, with a DODC guard along for the ride. Users can build the transport and have it so that Spider-Man’s trying to stop Tarantula from busting out Tombstone, or he’s fighting both enemies and protecting the guard at the same time. Since we know Spidey fights ninjas in the prison at some point in Brand New Day, think of the toy as a potential appetizer for that setpiece.

“Spider-Man vs. Hulk Epic Clash” teams Peter with the strongest Avenger to fight Scorpion, Tarantula, and Boomerang to save a hot dog vendor. A trigger in the building’s rear makes the 534-piece set’s front blast open to reveal the large Hulk figure, and posting sticks will let you put characters on the DODC building’s upper levels to simulate midair fights.

Lastly, we’ve got a Spider-Man Hero Figure. At 813 pieces, you can recreate the hero and use detachable webs so he can swing cinematically. It also comes with a little Spider-Man minifig, helpful if you need to replace one you lost.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters on July 31. All three of these release on June 1 and will individually cost you $50 for “Prison Transport, $90 for “Spider-Man vs. Hulk”, and $100 for the Spidey figure.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#SpiderMan #Brand #Day #Legos #Arrive #SummerLego,Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Brand New Day">First ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Legos Arrive This SummerFirst ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Legos Arrive This Summer Three months until Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and we’ve got a look at some of its Lego toys. Revealed a few days ago, buyers can look forward to two sets and one figure based on the film. The first set, “Prison Transport Chase,” comes in 367 pieces and has Spidey going up against Tarantula and Tombstone, with a DODC guard along for the ride. Users can build the transport and have it so that Spider-Man’s trying to stop Tarantula from busting out Tombstone, or he’s fighting both enemies and protecting the guard at the same time. Since we know Spidey fights ninjas in the prison at some point in Brand New Day, think of the toy as a potential appetizer for that setpiece. “Spider-Man vs. Hulk Epic Clash” teams Peter with the strongest Avenger to fight Scorpion, Tarantula, and Boomerang to save a hot dog vendor. A trigger in the building’s rear makes the 534-piece set’s front blast open to reveal the large Hulk figure, and posting sticks will let you put characters on the DODC building’s upper levels to simulate midair fights. Lastly, we’ve got a Spider-Man Hero Figure. At 813 pieces, you can recreate the hero and use detachable webs so he can swing cinematically. It also comes with a little Spider-Man minifig, helpful if you need to replace one you lost. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters on July 31. All three of these release on June 1 and will individually cost you $50 for “Prison Transport, $90 for “Spider-Man vs. Hulk”, and $100 for the Spidey figure. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #SpiderMan #Brand #Day #Legos #Arrive #SummerLego,Spider-Man,Spider-Man: Brand New Day

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Revealed a few days ago, buyers can look forward to two sets and one figure based on the film. The first set, “Prison Transport Chase,” comes in 367 pieces and has Spidey going up against Tarantula and Tombstone, with a DODC guard along for the ride. Users can build the transport and have it so that Spider-Man’s trying to stop Tarantula from busting out Tombstone, or he’s fighting both enemies and protecting the guard at the same time. Since we know Spidey fights ninjas in the prison at some point in Brand New Day, think of the toy as a potential appetizer for that setpiece.

“Spider-Man vs. Hulk Epic Clash” teams Peter with the strongest Avenger to fight Scorpion, Tarantula, and Boomerang to save a hot dog vendor. A trigger in the building’s rear makes the 534-piece set’s front blast open to reveal the large Hulk figure, and posting sticks will let you put characters on the DODC building’s upper levels to simulate midair fights.

Lastly, we’ve got a Spider-Man Hero Figure. At 813 pieces, you can recreate the hero and use detachable webs so he can swing cinematically. It also comes with a little Spider-Man minifig, helpful if you need to replace one you lost.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters on July 31. All three of these release on June 1 and will individually cost you $50 for “Prison Transport, $90 for “Spider-Man vs. Hulk”, and $100 for the Spidey figure.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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Every time I’ve written about Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, I invariably get asked these questions: Why do you even want these? Why do you want smart glasses that can play music or misidentify native flora in a weirdly cheery voice? I am a lifelong Ray-Ban Wayfarer wearer, and I’m also WIRED’s resident Meta wearer. I grab a pair of Meta glasses whenever I leave the house because I like being able to use one device instead of two or three on a walk. With Meta glasses, I can wear sunglasses and workout headphones in one!

Meta sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025. Take a look at any major outdoor or sporting event, and you’ll see more than a few people wearing these to record snippets for Instagram or TikTok. Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica has made smart glasses accessible, stylish, and useful and is undoubtedly the reason why Google, and now Apple, are trying to horn in on the market. After the notable flop that is the Apple Vision Pro, Apple is recalibrating its face-wearable strategy, moving away from augmented reality (AR) toward simpler, display-less, and hopefully good-looking glasses.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be careful how you use these glasses. Meta doesn’t have the greatest track record on privacy, and the company has continued to push forward with policies that are questionable at best. Even if you’re not concerned that face recognition will allow Meta to target immigrants or enable stalkers to find their victims, at the very least, people really do not like the idea that you could start recording them at any moment.

Probably the biggest hurdle to wearing Meta glasses is that even doing so seems like a gross violation of the social contract. After all, these are Mark Zuckerberg’s “pervert glasses.” When I pop these on my head, I’ve had friends (and my spouse) recoil and say, “I have apps to warn me away from people like you.” The best part, though, is that Oakley and Ray-Ban already make really great sunglasses. Even if the battery runs out or you don’t use Meta AI at all, these are stellar at shading your eyes from the sun.

Anyway, if you decide to try them, here’s what you should get. If you do chicken out, check out our buying guides to the Best Smart Glasses or the Best Workout Headphones for more.

Table of Contents

Best Overall

  • Photograph: Boone Ashworth

Ray-Ban

Meta Glasses (Gen 2)

Last year, Meta upgraded the original Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers that became a smash hit. These are Meta’s entry-level glasses, and they come in a variety of lens styles. You can order them with clear lenses, prescription lenses, transition lenses, or the OG sunglass lenses, as well as in a variety of fits, including standard, large, or high-bridge frames. Improvements to this generation include an upgrade to a 12-MP camera and up to eight hours of battery life; writer Boone Ashworth’s testing clocked in at five to six hours.

#Meta #Glasses #Comfortable #Functional #Spouse #Recoil #Fearbuying guides,accessories and peripherals,wearables,meta,smart glasses,shopping,outdoors,fashion,lifestyle">Meta Glasses Are Comfortable, Functional, and Make My Spouse Recoil in FearEvery time I’ve written about Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, I invariably get asked these questions: Why do you even want these? Why do you want smart glasses that can play music or misidentify native flora in a weirdly cheery voice? I am a lifelong Ray-Ban Wayfarer wearer, and I’m also WIRED’s resident Meta wearer. I grab a pair of Meta glasses whenever I leave the house because I like being able to use one device instead of two or three on a walk. With Meta glasses, I can wear sunglasses and workout headphones in one!Meta sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025. Take a look at any major outdoor or sporting event, and you’ll see more than a few people wearing these to record snippets for Instagram or TikTok. Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica has made smart glasses accessible, stylish, and useful and is undoubtedly the reason why Google, and now Apple, are trying to horn in on the market. After the notable flop that is the Apple Vision Pro, Apple is recalibrating its face-wearable strategy, moving away from augmented reality (AR) toward simpler, display-less, and hopefully good-looking glasses.That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be careful how you use these glasses. Meta doesn’t have the greatest track record on privacy, and the company has continued to push forward with policies that are questionable at best. Even if you’re not concerned that face recognition will allow Meta to target immigrants or enable stalkers to find their victims, at the very least, people really do not like the idea that you could start recording them at any moment.Probably the biggest hurdle to wearing Meta glasses is that even doing so seems like a gross violation of the social contract. After all, these are Mark Zuckerberg’s “pervert glasses.” When I pop these on my head, I’ve had friends (and my spouse) recoil and say, “I have apps to warn me away from people like you.” The best part, though, is that Oakley and Ray-Ban already make really great sunglasses. Even if the battery runs out or you don’t use Meta AI at all, these are stellar at shading your eyes from the sun.Anyway, if you decide to try them, here’s what you should get. If you do chicken out, check out our buying guides to the Best Smart Glasses or the Best Workout Headphones for more.Table of ContentsAccordionItemContainerButtonBest OverallPhotograph: Boone AshworthRay-BanMeta Glasses (Gen 2)Last year, Meta upgraded the original Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers that became a smash hit. These are Meta’s entry-level glasses, and they come in a variety of lens styles. You can order them with clear lenses, prescription lenses, transition lenses, or the OG sunglass lenses, as well as in a variety of fits, including standard, large, or high-bridge frames. Improvements to this generation include an upgrade to a 12-MP camera and up to eight hours of battery life; writer Boone Ashworth’s testing clocked in at five to six hours.#Meta #Glasses #Comfortable #Functional #Spouse #Recoil #Fearbuying guides,accessories and peripherals,wearables,meta,smart glasses,shopping,outdoors,fashion,lifestyle

Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, I invariably get asked these questions: Why do you even want these? Why do you want smart glasses that can play music or misidentify native flora in a weirdly cheery voice? I am a lifelong Ray-Ban Wayfarer wearer, and I’m also WIRED’s resident Meta wearer. I grab a pair of Meta glasses whenever I leave the house because I like being able to use one device instead of two or three on a walk. With Meta glasses, I can wear sunglasses and workout headphones in one!

Meta sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025. Take a look at any major outdoor or sporting event, and you’ll see more than a few people wearing these to record snippets for Instagram or TikTok. Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica has made smart glasses accessible, stylish, and useful and is undoubtedly the reason why Google, and now Apple, are trying to horn in on the market. After the notable flop that is the Apple Vision Pro, Apple is recalibrating its face-wearable strategy, moving away from augmented reality (AR) toward simpler, display-less, and hopefully good-looking glasses.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be careful how you use these glasses. Meta doesn’t have the greatest track record on privacy, and the company has continued to push forward with policies that are questionable at best. Even if you’re not concerned that face recognition will allow Meta to target immigrants or enable stalkers to find their victims, at the very least, people really do not like the idea that you could start recording them at any moment.

Probably the biggest hurdle to wearing Meta glasses is that even doing so seems like a gross violation of the social contract. After all, these are Mark Zuckerberg’s “pervert glasses.” When I pop these on my head, I’ve had friends (and my spouse) recoil and say, “I have apps to warn me away from people like you.” The best part, though, is that Oakley and Ray-Ban already make really great sunglasses. Even if the battery runs out or you don’t use Meta AI at all, these are stellar at shading your eyes from the sun.

Anyway, if you decide to try them, here’s what you should get. If you do chicken out, check out our buying guides to the Best Smart Glasses or the Best Workout Headphones for more.

Table of Contents

Best Overall

  • Photograph: Boone Ashworth

Ray-Ban

Meta Glasses (Gen 2)

Last year, Meta upgraded the original Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers that became a smash hit. These are Meta’s entry-level glasses, and they come in a variety of lens styles. You can order them with clear lenses, prescription lenses, transition lenses, or the OG sunglass lenses, as well as in a variety of fits, including standard, large, or high-bridge frames. Improvements to this generation include an upgrade to a 12-MP camera and up to eight hours of battery life; writer Boone Ashworth’s testing clocked in at five to six hours.

#Meta #Glasses #Comfortable #Functional #Spouse #Recoil #Fearbuying guides,accessories and peripherals,wearables,meta,smart glasses,shopping,outdoors,fashion,lifestyle">Meta Glasses Are Comfortable, Functional, and Make My Spouse Recoil in Fear

Every time I’ve written about Meta’s AI-enabled glasses, I invariably get asked these questions: Why do you even want these? Why do you want smart glasses that can play music or misidentify native flora in a weirdly cheery voice? I am a lifelong Ray-Ban Wayfarer wearer, and I’m also WIRED’s resident Meta wearer. I grab a pair of Meta glasses whenever I leave the house because I like being able to use one device instead of two or three on a walk. With Meta glasses, I can wear sunglasses and workout headphones in one!

Meta sold more than 7 million pairs in 2025. Take a look at any major outdoor or sporting event, and you’ll see more than a few people wearing these to record snippets for Instagram or TikTok. Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica has made smart glasses accessible, stylish, and useful and is undoubtedly the reason why Google, and now Apple, are trying to horn in on the market. After the notable flop that is the Apple Vision Pro, Apple is recalibrating its face-wearable strategy, moving away from augmented reality (AR) toward simpler, display-less, and hopefully good-looking glasses.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t be careful how you use these glasses. Meta doesn’t have the greatest track record on privacy, and the company has continued to push forward with policies that are questionable at best. Even if you’re not concerned that face recognition will allow Meta to target immigrants or enable stalkers to find their victims, at the very least, people really do not like the idea that you could start recording them at any moment.

Probably the biggest hurdle to wearing Meta glasses is that even doing so seems like a gross violation of the social contract. After all, these are Mark Zuckerberg’s “pervert glasses.” When I pop these on my head, I’ve had friends (and my spouse) recoil and say, “I have apps to warn me away from people like you.” The best part, though, is that Oakley and Ray-Ban already make really great sunglasses. Even if the battery runs out or you don’t use Meta AI at all, these are stellar at shading your eyes from the sun.

Anyway, if you decide to try them, here’s what you should get. If you do chicken out, check out our buying guides to the Best Smart Glasses or the Best Workout Headphones for more.

Table of Contents

Best Overall

  • Photograph: Boone Ashworth

Ray-Ban

Meta Glasses (Gen 2)

Last year, Meta upgraded the original Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarers that became a smash hit. These are Meta’s entry-level glasses, and they come in a variety of lens styles. You can order them with clear lenses, prescription lenses, transition lenses, or the OG sunglass lenses, as well as in a variety of fits, including standard, large, or high-bridge frames. Improvements to this generation include an upgrade to a 12-MP camera and up to eight hours of battery life; writer Boone Ashworth’s testing clocked in at five to six hours.

#Meta #Glasses #Comfortable #Functional #Spouse #Recoil #Fearbuying guides,accessories and peripherals,wearables,meta,smart glasses,shopping,outdoors,fashion,lifestyle

After days of almost (and complete) darkness, the Moon is finally starting to reappear. We’re currently in the Waxing Crescent phase of the lunar cycle, which means each night until the Full Moon we’ll see it get more illuminated from the right side.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, April 19, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 5% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Despite more of it now being illuminated, the percentage of surface is still too little to be able to spot any surface details. Check again tomorrow.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA states that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, during which it passes through eight distinct phases. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the amount of sunlight reflecting off it changes as it moves along its orbit, creating the familiar pattern of full, partial, and crescent shapes. We call these the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

#Moon #phase #today #explained #Moon #April">Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on April 19, 2026 After days of almost (and complete) darkness, the Moon is finally starting to reappear. We’re currently in the Waxing Crescent phase of the lunar cycle, which means each night until the Full Moon we’ll see it get more illuminated from the right side.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Sunday, April 19, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 5% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.Despite more of it now being illuminated, the percentage of surface is still too little to be able to spot any surface details. Check again tomorrow. When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.What are Moon phases?NASA states that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, during which it passes through eight distinct phases. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the amount of sunlight reflecting off it changes as it moves along its orbit, creating the familiar pattern of full, partial, and crescent shapes. We call these the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye). Mashable Light Speed Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again. #Moon #phase #today #explained #Moon #April

Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 5% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Despite more of it now being illuminated, the percentage of surface is still too little to be able to spot any surface details. Check again tomorrow.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA states that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, during which it passes through eight distinct phases. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the amount of sunlight reflecting off it changes as it moves along its orbit, creating the familiar pattern of full, partial, and crescent shapes. We call these the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

#Moon #phase #today #explained #Moon #April">Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on April 19, 2026

After days of almost (and complete) darkness, the Moon is finally starting to reappear. We’re currently in the Waxing Crescent phase of the lunar cycle, which means each night until the Full Moon we’ll see it get more illuminated from the right side.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, April 19, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 5% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide.

Despite more of it now being illuminated, the percentage of surface is still too little to be able to spot any surface details. Check again tomorrow.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA states that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, during which it passes through eight distinct phases. We always see the same side of the Moon, but the amount of sunlight reflecting off it changes as it moves along its orbit, creating the familiar pattern of full, partial, and crescent shapes. We call these the lunar phases, and there are eight in total:

New Moon – The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it’s invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon – The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous – The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) – Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

#Moon #phase #today #explained #Moon #April

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