Moon phase today: What to expect on July 16’s Waxing Crescent

Moon phase today: Waxing Crescent illuminates ↑ 5% of lunar disc

As of Thursday, July 16, the Moon phase today is a thin waxing crescent, with only ↑ 5% of the near side catching sunlight. Observers in the Northern Hemisphere see the bright edge on the right; those below the equator notice it on the left.

“The lunar cycle is a precise 29.5‑day dance around Earth,” notes NASA in its daily guide.

Because the illuminated sliver is so modest, surface details remain hidden to the naked eye. The next Full Moon will crest on July 29, offering a complete view.

Understanding the eight lunar phases

The Moon’s orbit yields a predictable sequence: New Moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent. Each phase reflects the shifting angle of sunlight, not a change in the Moon itself.

For a deeper dive into lunar mechanics, see Reuters Space.