本文详细介绍了月球的周期性变化，即月相。月相是由于月球绕地球公转时，太阳照射到月球不同部分的视角变化而产生的。整个月球周期约为29.5天，包含新月、娥眉月、上弦月、盈凸月、满月、亏凸月、下弦月和残月八个主要阶段。文章指出，在7月22日，月相为残月，月球只有7%的可见度，几乎完全隐藏，需要借助望远镜才能观测到格里马尔迪盆地等月面特征。同时，文章也预告了下一次满月将在8月9日出现，并解释了月相形成的科学原理，即太阳、地球和月球之间角度的变化导致我们从地球上看到的月球被照亮的部分不同。

🌕 月相周期与变化：月球绕地球公转，受太阳照射角度影响，形成约29.5天的周期性变化，即月相。我们看到的月球可见度变化，源于太阳、月球和地球三者相对位置的改变。

🔭 7月22日月相与观测：当前月相为残月，月球可见度仅为7%，几乎不可见。若想观测月球表面特征，如格里马尔迪盆地，需要借助双筒望远镜或天文望远镜。

🗓️ 未来满月预告：文章提及，下一次满月将出现在8月9日，而上一次满月则在7月10日。

💡 月相形成原理：月相的根本原因是月球在其轨道上的位置不同，导致从地球上看，被太阳照亮的月球部分发生变化，从而呈现出新月、满月、半月等不同形态。

Can you see the moon tonight? Do you know what you can see on its surface? Don't worry, we've got you. Keep reading to find out everything about where we are in the lunar cycle.

The lunar cycle is a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

So, what's happening tonight, July 22, and where are we in the lunar cycle? Keep reading to find out.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Tuesday, July 22, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, and it is almost completely hidden to us on Earth. The moon will only be 7% visible to us tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

For day 27 of the lunar cycle, unfortunately, there's nothing to be seen on the moon with your naked eye. To see anything, you'll need binoculars or a telescope. With binoculars and a telescope, you'll be able to enjoy a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin. This is an impact basin with an outer wall as long as the Grand Canyon, NASA says.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on August 9. The last full moon was on July 10.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.