On August 16, the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase. We can see 15% of it.

We can see some features without help. With binoculars, we can see more like the Endymion Crater.

The next Full Moon is on August 28.

The Moon looks different each night. It takes 29.5 days to complete its cycle. The Sun, Earth, and Moon move, creating different phases. The Moon changes from a small crescent to half and then full before starting again.

There are eight Moon phases.

New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, so we can't see it.

Waxing Crescent: A small part of the Moon is lit on the right side.

First Quarter: Half of the Moon is lit on the right. It looks like half a Moon. It's easy to see.

Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is lit, but not all.

Full Moon: The whole Moon is lit and visible.

Waning Gibbous: The Moon starts to lose light on the right side.

Third Quarter: Half of the Moon is lit, but on the left side now.

Waning Crescent: A small part of the Moon is lit before it goes dark.