🔥 Trending Tonight's Lunar Sights: Venus and the Crescent Moon

Tonight, July 18, 2026, the Moon will be in its Waxing Crescent phase ⁴⁶. Approximately 19% of its surface will be visible ⁴⁶.

What is a Waxing Crescent Moon?

A Waxing Crescent Moon occurs after the New Moon and before the First Quarter Moon. During this phase, the illuminated portion of the Moon that we see from Earth gradually increases each night. "Waxing" means growing or increasing, and "crescent" refers to the sliver of light visible.

What to Expect Tonight

• Visibility: You will see a thin, illuminated sliver of the Moon ⁴⁶.
• Earthshine: This is a good night to look for "Earthshine" on the Moon ⁷. Earthshine is when the unlit portion of the Moon is faintly visible due to sunlight reflecting off Earth and hitting the Moon's surface.
• Location: The Moon will be visible in the western sky after dark ⁷⁸.
• Celestial Companions: The waxing crescent Moon will lie near brilliant Venus and Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion ³⁷. Regulus is the bright star at the bottom of a backward question mark pattern of stars known as the Sickle ³. This conjunction of Venus and the Moon will be visible to the naked eye ⁸.

Distinguishing from a Supermoon

It's important to note that the Moon appearing large shortly after it rises when it's still touching the horizon is an optical illusion, and this is not the same as a Supermoon ¹.

Looking Ahead

Over the next few nights, the visible portion of the Moon will continue to increase, making moon gazing even more rewarding ⁵.