The Waning Gibbous Phase
This phase occurs after the Full Moon, when the Moon is still more than half illuminated but its illuminated portion is decreasing.
Duration: Approximately 3.5 days.
Illumination: Decreasing from 99.9% to 50.1%.
Characteristics and Observations
During the Waning Gibbous phase, you'll notice the bright side of the Moon diminishing from the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere). It's a period of reflection and processing after the peak energy of the Full Moon. The Moon rises later in the evening than it did during the Full Moon and is visible for most of the night.
Astronomically, it's a beautiful time for stargazing as the Moon's glare is less intense than a Full Moon, allowing fainter celestial objects to be seen. The terminator (the line between light and shadow) is moving across the Moon's surface, highlighting craters and mountains with dramatic shadows.
Tip: Observe the western limb of the Moon during this phase to see the features most dramatically lit by the receding sunlight.
Explore other celestial phenomena:
View Celestial Spheres Chart