GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Wednesday July 19, 2006
Waning Crescent — 34% Illuminated
|
Sunday Jul 16, 2006 
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Monday Jul 17, 2006 
50% — Last Quarter |
Tuesday Jul 18, 2006 
42% — Waning Crescent |
Thursday Jul 20, 2006 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Friday Jul 21, 2006 
18% — Waning Crescent |
Saturday Jul 22, 2006 
12% — Waning Crescent |
Waning Crescent Phase
In the waning crescent phase the Moon's illumination is growing smaller each day until the New Moon. During this part of the Moon cycle, the Moon is getting closer to the Sun as viewed from Earth and the night side of the Moon is facing the Earth with only a small edge of the Moon being illuminated.
This phase is best viewed an hour or 2 before the sunrise and can be quite beautiful if you're willing to get up early. It can also be a great time to see the features of the Moon's surface.
Along the edge where the illuminated portion meets the dark side, the craters and mountains cast long shadows making them easier to observe with a telescope or binoculars.