The moon is always “out” in space, but whether you can see it from Earth depends on its phase. Today, February 21st, 2025, the moon is in its Waning Crescent phase, meaning less of it is illuminated each day until the New Moon. A Waning Crescent moon is best viewed just before sunrise in the western sky. As the moon wanes, it appears as a sliver, gradually decreasing in size until it disappears completely during the New Moon phase. This is a great time for stargazing, as the dimmer moonlight allows more stars to become visible.
During the Waning Crescent phase, the moon’s illumination is decreasing daily. Specifically, on February 21st, 2025, the moon’s illumination is 41%. This percentage represents the portion of the moon reflecting sunlight as seen from Earth. The illumination changes by up to 10% each day as the moon continues its orbit. The moon’s age, referring to the number of days since the last New Moon, is 23.05 days on this date. A complete lunar cycle, encompassing all eight moon phases, takes 29.53 days.
The side of the moon facing Earth during this phase is mostly dark, with only a small crescent illuminated by the sun. This creates ideal conditions for observing lunar features like craters and mountains along the terminator, the line between light and shadow. Because the sun’s angle is low, these features cast long, dramatic shadows, making them easier to spot with binoculars or a telescope.
The current moon sign is Sagittarius, at 15.39° within the sign. The moon’s position in the zodiac influences interpretations in astrology. The moon stays in each zodiac sign for approximately 2 to 2.5 days before moving to the next. The moon entered Sagittarius on a previous date and will transition into Capricorn on a subsequent date. While the moon’s phase impacts visibility, its sign is thought to affect moods and energies.
The eight lunar phases are: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. These phases repeat in a continuous cycle, reflecting the changing relationship between the sun, Earth, and moon. The four primary phases (New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter) mark significant points in this cycle, while the four minor phases represent the transitions between them.
