Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on August 18
See the Moon phase expected for August 18, 2026 as well as when the next Full Moon is expected.
Today, on August 18, the Moon is currently in the Waxing Crescent phase, with 33% of its surface illuminated by the Sun, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker. This means that as of now, only a small sliver of the Moon's surface is visible from Earth, with the rest still in shadow. To observe this phase, one can look for the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis without any visual aids, while binoculars will reveal the Endymion Crater.
For a more detailed view, a telescope is recommended, as it can help spot the Apollo 17 landing site, marking the final Moon landing in the Apollo program.
The Moon goes through a series of phases over a period of approximately 29.5 days, as seen from Earth. These phases are determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, which dictate how much of the Moon's illuminated side is visible. The phases progress from a New Moon, where the Moon is positioned between the Sun and Earth, making it invisible to the naked eye, to a Full Moon, when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated and visible.
Along the way, the Moon transitions through the Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent phases before the cycle repeats itself.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
