We’re inching closer to the New Moon, which means for the next few nights the moon is going to look smaller and smaller to us. This is because of where we are in the lunar cycle, a series of unique phases of the moon that occur over 29.5 days.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, Oct. 14, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 42% will be lit up, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

Waning Crescent is the last phase before we reach the new moon, and with each day until then, the visibility will decrease. But for now, there’s still plenty to see on the moon’s surface tonight. With just your naked eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Tycho Crater, Oceanus Procellarum, and the Kepler Crater. With binoculars you’ll see even more, including the Gassendi and Alphonsus Craters.

With a telescope, you’ll see all this plus the Fra Mauro Highlands, the Schiller Crater, and the Reiner Gamma, a lunar swirl on the moon’s surface.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are a cycle that occur every 29.5 days, as the moon travels around Earth. The changes happen because the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always moving relative to each other. From here on Earth, the Moon can look full, partly lit, or even completely dark, but we always see the same side. What’s different each night is how much sunlight is hitting it.

The eight main moon phases are:

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.