Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on July 18, 2026

After days of almost complete darkness, the Moon is finally illuminated enough to spot some features on its surface once again. What can you see when you look up tonight? As of Saturday, July 18, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with 19% of its surface visible. Without any visual aids, tonight you can spot the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope, you'll also add the Endymion Crater to your view. The next Full Moon will take place on July 29. The Moon completes one full cycle around Earth in about 29.5 days, moving through eight different phases along the way, NASA explains. Although the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes as it travels around Earth. This changing angle of illumination is what makes the Moon appear to transform throughout the month, from a thin crescent to a half-lit Moon and eventually a fully illuminated Full Moon, before starting the cycle again. New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye). Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on