Today's Moon Phase: July 4

On July 4, the Moon is 84% visible, according to NASA.
You can see the Mares Imbrium and Serenitatis with your eyes. With binoculars, you can see the Posidonius Crater and the Alps Mountains. With a telescope, you can see more.
The next Full Moon is on July 29.
The Moon orbits Earth in about 29.5 days. It has eight phases. The Moon's shape changes as it moves around Earth. This is called the lunar cycle.
New Moon is when the Moon is between Earth and the sun. We can't see it.
Waxing Crescent is when a small part of the Moon is lit.
First Quarter is when half of the Moon is lit. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous is when more than half of the Moon is lit.
Full Moon is when the whole Moon is lit.
Waning Gibbous is when the Moon starts to lose light.
Third Quarter is when the other half of the Moon is lit.
Waning Crescent is when a small part of the Moon is lit before it goes dark.