A waxing gibbous moon is in the sky before it's dark and lights up the early evening. It's more than half lighted, but not quite full. It sets after midnight.
The new moon generally can't be seen, except during a solar eclipse. The moon crosses the sky with the sun during the day, and its shadow side faces Earth.
It has long been a sport for skywatchers to spot the youngest moon after sunset, with the eye alone. What does it take to see a very young crescent moon?
Don't miss Uranus at opposition on November 25, 2026. At this time, it's brightest for the year and visible to the eye under optimum observing conditions.
Unscrupulous companies are printing ISO certification labels on fake eclipse glasses. Check here for reputable vendors from the American Astronomical Society.
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.