Moon Phase: Approaching its last quarter phase, 56% illuminated

Science: Today, Nov. 22, 2024, the moon is 21 days old, in waning gibbous and approaching the last quarter stage of its lunar cycle. It is 56% illuminated.

November 2024 Moon Phases and Dates
Moon Phase Date
New moon Nov. 1
First quarter Nov. 9
Full moon Nov. 15
Third/last quarter Nov. 22
The phases of the moon trace the passage of time in the night sky. Some nights when we see the moon, it is full and bright; sometimes it is just a sliver of silvery light. These changes in appearance are the phases of the moon. As the moon orbits Earth, it goes through eight distinct phases.
The moon’s four primary phases (new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter) occur about a week apart, with the full moon being its brightest phase. While the moon has four primary phases every month, it is always changing. As you watch the moon during the month, watch how it grows from a new moon to a first quarter moon. As it grows, it is known as a waxing moon, and gradually grows from a waxing “crescent” (for its shape) to a first quarter moon. As it continues to brighten, it takes on an oblong, or “gibbous” shape until it reaches the full moon phase. Then it will repeat, reversing the phases on its way back to the new moon.