本文将为您介绍月相变化的奥秘，以及如何从月球的可见度来了解其当前状态。月相是指月球在绕地球公转过程中，被太阳照亮的部分从地球上看到的景象变化。这个周期大约为29.5天，由八个不同的阶段组成。文章将详细解释新月、娥眉月、上弦月、盈凸月、满月、亏凸月、下弦月和残月等月相的形成原因和特征，并提供在不同天气条件下观察月球表面特征的建议，帮助您更好地欣赏夜空中的月亮。

🌕 月相是由于月球绕地球公转，导致太阳、月球和地球之间角度不断变化而产生的可见度变化。整个月相周期约为29.5天，我们总是看到月球的同一面，但被太阳照亮的部分会随着其在轨道上的位置而改变。

🌟 在8月7日，月相为盈凸月，月球的96%将被照亮。通过肉眼即可观察到哥白尼环形山、丰饶海和风暴洋等月面特征。借助双筒望远镜，还可以看到具名海、阿基米德山脉和克拉维乌斯环形山等。

🔭 使用望远镜，您可以进一步探索月球表面的细节，例如在特定方向寻找赖纳尔伽马、阿里亚迪斯月溪以及阿波罗16号着陆点。这些观测点为深入了解月球地貌提供了宝贵的视角。

🗓️ 下一个满月将在8月9日出现，而上一个满月则是在7月10日。了解这些日期有助于规划您的月球观测活动，不错过任何一个重要的月相时刻。

Wondering what you're seeing when you look up at the moon tonight? Wonder no more, we've got all the information you need about the current lunar cycle.

What's the lunar cycle, you ask? This 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 with the moon tonight, Aug. 7?

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Thursday, Aug. 7, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, the moon will be 96% lit up tonight.

There's lots to see tonight, with your unaided eye alone, enjoy a glimpse of the Copernicus Crater, the Mare Fecunditatis, and the Oceanus Procellarum. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Mare Humorum, the Archimedes Crater, and the Clavius Crater.

With a telescope, look towards the left (right if you're in the Southern Hemisphere) to see the Reiner Gama and right (vice versa again) for the Rima Ariadaeus and Apollo 16.

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.