Moon Phase Today: In the first quarter phase of your lunar cycle, 48% illuminated

Science: Today, January 6, 2025, the moon is 7 days old, in the first quarter phase of its lunar cycle. It is 48% illuminated.

January 2025 Moon Phases and Dates
Moon Phase Date
First Quarter January 6
Full Moon January 13
Third/Last Quarter January 21
New Moon January 29
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 tiny 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 four primary phases of the moon (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.