GlensDomain.com Moon Phases
Moon Phase for Thursday December 27, 2040
Waning Crescent — 42% Illuminated
|
Monday Dec 24, 2040 
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Tuesday Dec 25, 2040
60% — Waning Gibbous |
Wednesday Dec 26, 2040 
50% — Last Quarter |
Friday Dec 28, 2040 
34% — Waning Crescent |
Saturday Dec 29, 2040 
26% — Waning Crescent |
Sunday Dec 30, 2040 
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.