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Waxing Gibbous Moon Is 88% Lit on New Year’s Eve

The lunar disk brightens toward a Jan. 3 full moon.

Overview

  • NASA’s Daily Moon Observation places tonight’s illumination at 88 percent, with VICE noting it near 89 percent depending on timing.
  • The Moon starts the day in Taurus and moves into Gemini in the morning, according to VICE.
  • Moongiant reports the Moon is 11.61 days old within a roughly 29.53‑day lunar cycle.
  • Visible features include the mares Fecunditatis, Serenitatis, and Vaporum to the naked eye, with Endymion, Mare Nectaris, and Clavius apparent through binoculars.
  • A telescope can reveal the Apollo 14 and Apollo 15 landing sites and the Rima Hyginus, as the waxing gibbous phase brings most of the dayside into view.