Moon phase today explained: What the Moon will look like on August 21, 2026

The Moon is getting closer to the Full Moon now, with its illuminated portion continuing to get bigger each night. Now in its Waxing Gibbous phase, more than half of the Moon is lit up as seen from Earth. As of Friday, Aug. 21, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in its Waxing Gibbous phase, with 61% of its surface visible. Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Crisium, Serenitatis and Fecunditatis. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater, the Alps Mountains, and the Archimedes Crater. If you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 15 and 17 landing spots and the Rupes Altai. The next Full Moon will take place on August 28. The Moon goes through a series of phases that cause its appearance to change as seen from Earth. As the Moon orbits Earth, it goes through a lunar cycle that takes about 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon determine how much of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from Earth, creating its different phases. Throughout the cycle, the Moon changes from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before repeating the cycle once more. New M