Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on January 9

We're nearly at the Third Quarter, which means the Moon is almost half gone from sight. This will be the second-to-last phase before we reach the New Moon, where it will disappear from sight completely.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, Jan. 9, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 61% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

You don't need any visual aids to spot features on the Moon's surface, with just your naked eye you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Mares Imbrium and Vaporum, as well as the Aristarchus Plateau. If you do have visual aids, binoculars will help you see the Grimaldi Basin, Apennine Mountains, and the Mare Humorum, and a telescope will bring the Apollo 14 landing spot, Schiller Crater, and Rima Ariadaeus into view.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

NASA explains that the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit, a period known as the lunar cycle. As it moves around Earth, the Moon goes through a series of distinct phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can appear fully lit, partially lit, or completely dark at different times. The lunar cycle includes eight main phases:

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.