On November 16, the moon phase is Waning Crescent, meaning only 12% of the moon is illuminated from Earth's perspective. This phase is part of the natural lunar cycle, where the amount of the moon visible to us changes as it orbits Earth.
During the Waning Crescent phase, a small sliver of light is visible on the left side of the moon (in the Northern Hemisphere). While not much is visible without aid, keen observers might spot the 25-mile diameter crater, Aristarchus.
With binoculars, the Grimaldi Basin becomes visible, and a telescope can reveal Reiner Gamma. Moon phases are a result of the moon's 29.5-day orbit around Earth, influencing how much of its sunlit surface is visible.
The eight main phases include New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent, which precedes the New Moon. The next Full Moon will occur on December 4.
