A Brighter Crescent Before First Quarter
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the Moon is in a waxing crescent phase, with 41 percent of its visible face illuminated, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide as cited by Mashable. The Moon is approaching first quarter, the point in the lunar cycle when half of the near side appears lit from Earth.
During a waxing crescent, the illuminated portion grows night by night. That brightening continues through first quarter and waxing gibbous until the full Moon, after which the visible illumination begins to shrink again.
What To Look For Tonight
Mashable’s guide notes that several lunar features should be visible depending on viewing equipment. With the naked eye, observers may be able to see Mare Serenitatis, Mare Tranquillitatis, and Mare Fecunditatis. These darker plains are among the most recognizable features on the Moon’s near side.
With binoculars, additional features may come into view, including Mare Nectaris and the Endymion and Posidonius craters. A telescope can reveal those features in greater detail and may also show the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 landing sites, along with Rupes Altai.
How The Phase Cycle Works
NASA describes the Moon as completing a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days. Over that period, the Moon passes through eight familiar phases. The same face of the Moon remains turned toward Earth, but the sunlit portion visible from our perspective changes as the Moon moves along its orbit.
The sequence begins with the new Moon, when the side facing Earth is dark. It then moves through waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full Moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent before returning to new Moon.
Next Full Moon
The next full Moon is predicted for May 1, 2026, according to Mashable. The report notes that it will be the first of two full Moons in May.
For casual observers, the April 23 phase offers a practical viewing window: enough illumination to reveal major surface features, but not so much brightness that contrast is completely washed out. As the Moon nears first quarter, the boundary between lunar day and night can make craters, ridges, and plains easier to distinguish through binoculars or a small telescope.
This article is based on reporting by Mashable. Read the original article.
Originally published on mashable.com
