GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Friday January 17, 2031
Waning Crescent — 42% Illuminated
|
Tuesday Jan 14, 2031 
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Wednesday Jan 15, 2031
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Thursday Jan 16, 2031 
50% — Last Quarter |
Saturday Jan 18, 2031 
34% — Waning Crescent |
Sunday Jan 19, 2031 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Monday Jan 20, 2031 
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.