GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Thursday April 19, 2012
Waning Crescent — 10% Illuminated
|
Monday Apr 16, 2012 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Tuesday Apr 17, 2012 
18% — Waning Crescent |
Wednesday Apr 18, 2012 
12% — Waning Crescent |
Friday Apr 20, 2012
10% — Waning Crescent |
Saturday Apr 21, 2012 
0% — New |
Sunday Apr 22, 2012 
8% — 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.