GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Tuesday October 25, 2011
Waning Crescent — 12% Illuminated
|
Saturday Oct 22, 2011 
34% — Waning Crescent |
Sunday Oct 23, 2011 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Monday Oct 24, 2011 
18% — Waning Crescent |
Wednesday Oct 26, 2011 
0% — New |
Thursday Oct 27, 2011 
8% — Waxing Crescent |
Friday Oct 28, 2011 
16% — Waxing 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.