Moon phase today explained: What the moon will look like on July 22, 2025

Can you see the moon tonight? Do you know what you can see on its surface? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Keep reading to find out everything about where we are in the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon’s visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what’s happening tonight, July 22, and where are we in the lunar cycle? Keep reading to find out.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, July 22, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is almost completely hidden to us on Earth. The moon will only be 7% visible to us tonight, according to NASA’s Daily Moon Observation.

For day 27 of the lunar cycle, unfortunately, there’s nothing to be seen on the moon with your naked eye. To see anything, you’ll need binoculars or a telescope. With binoculars and a telescope, you’ll be able to enjoy a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin. This is an impact basin with an outer wall as long as the Grand Canyon, NASA says.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

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 the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter – Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon – The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous – The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) – Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent – A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.