Today’s Moon Phase: A Look at the Moon’s Appearance on August 7, 2025

Wondering what you’re seeing when you look up at the moon tonight? Wonder no more—allow us to share some comforting insights about the current lunar cycle.

What is the lunar cycle, you ask? This beautiful journey consists of eight distinct phases of the moon’s visibility, taking about 29.5 days, as shared by NASA. These different phases unfold as the Sun gently illuminates various parts of the moon during its orbit around Earth.

So, what’s happening with the moon tonight, August 7?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, August 7, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 96% illuminated tonight. There’s so much to witness this evening. With your unaided eye, you can delight in the view of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, you might also glimpse the Mare Humorum, the Archimedes Crater, and the Clavius Crater. For those with a telescope, look towards the left (or right if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Reiner Gama; and to the right (or left) for the Rima Ariadaeus and Apollo 16.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will grace the sky on August 9, following the last full moon on July 10.

What are moon phases?

As noted by NASA, moon phases are part of the enchanting 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which alters the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. These phases reflect how the moon appears from our perspective on Earth as it travels around us. While we consistently see the same side of the moon, the amount illuminated by the Sun changes, giving us the varied appearances of full moons, half moons, and even moments when the moon appears just invisible. Here are the eight main moon phases, lovingly arranged in their repeating cycle:

• New Moon – The moon is between Earth and the Sun, making the side we see quite dark and almost invisible.
• Waxing Crescent – A gentle sliver of light appears on the right side (for those in the Northern Hemisphere).
• First Quarter – Half of the moon is lit on the right side, resembling a charming half-moon.
• Waxing Gibbous – More than half is illuminated, yet it’s not quite full.
• Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is basking in illumination and fully visible.
• Waning Gibbous – The moon begins to lose light on the right side.
• Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon, but this time with the left side illuminated.
• Waning Crescent – A delicate sliver of light remains on the left side before it becomes dark again.