These changes in appearance are the phases of the moon. As the moon orbits Earth, it cycles through eight distinct phases. The four primary phases of the moon (new moon, first quarter, full moon ...
The dark skies during a new moon provide ideal conditions for spotting skywatching targets that would otherwise be outshined by moonlight. The next new moon will occur on Thursday, Feb.
The Moon is now just 2.5 days old, with some 8 percent of its face in sunlight. Sunrise: 7:09 A.M. Sunset: 5:19 P.M. Moonrise: 8:35 A.M. Moonset: 8:02 P.M. Trekking quickly through the sky ...