Moon Phase Today: In the full moon phase of your lunar cycle, 78% illuminated
Science: Today, October 21, 2024, the moon is 19 days old and in the waning gibbous phase of its lunar cycle. It is 78% illuminated.
October 2024 Moon Phases and Dates
Moon Phase Date Header Cell – Column 2
New Moon October 2 Row 0 – Cell 2
First Quarter October 10 Row 1 – Cell 2
Full Moon October 17 Row 2 – Cell 2
Third/Last Quarter October 24 Row 3 – Cell 2
The phases of the moon trace the passage of time in the night sky. On 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 the brightest phase. While the moon has four primary phases each month, it’s always changing. As you watch the moon during the month, watch how it progresses from a new moon to a first quarter moon. As it grows, it’s known as a waxing moon, and gradually grows from a waxing “crescent” (for its shape in a first quarter moon) to a waning “moon.” As it continues to brighten, it takes on an oblong, or “gibbous” shape until it reaches the full moon phase. Then it reverses phases on its way back to the new moon.
