A bright waxing gibbous Moon lights up tonight’s sky, rising in the afternoon and waiting for you at dusk.

• Start with the Moon: Look up after 4:40 PM Eastern, when the Moon rises for this mid-Atlantic reference location. It is a waxing gibbous, 74% illuminated, with a bright, rounded shape that is easy to notice as evening settles in.
• Give the Southern Taurids a try: This meteor shower is active from September 10 through November 20, with its 2026 peak on October 10. The listed rate is about five meteors per hour under ideal conditions. Tonight is 19 days before the peak, so think of this as a quiet warm-up rather than a meteor maximum.

Moon note: Tonight’s Moon is a waxing gibbous, 74% illuminated, with moonrise at 4:40 PM Eastern.

Step outside after dinner, let your eyes adjust, and see what the Moon brings into view. For more warm, easy skywatching ideas, join the NOOMMED newsletter.