GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Sunday October 23, 2016
Waning Crescent — 42% Illuminated
|
Thursday Oct 20, 2016 
68% — Waning Gibbous |
Friday Oct 21, 2016 
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Saturday Oct 22, 2016 
50% — Last Quarter |
Monday Oct 24, 2016 
34% — Waning Crescent |
Tuesday Oct 25, 2016 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Wednesday Oct 26, 2016 
18% — 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.