Tonight, the waning gibbous Moon waits until late to rise, leaving your early evening open for a quieter, darker look upward.
What to see
- Start before moonrise: Sunset is about 6:44 p.m. Eastern at our mid-Atlantic reference point. The Moon rises around 9:45 p.m., so you have roughly three hours after sunset before moonlight joins you. Step outside after dusk, let your eyes adjust, and enjoy the open sky while the Moon is still below the horizon. Check timeanddate’s sunset table and local moonrise calendar.
- Moonrise: Look to the northeast around 9:45 p.m. Eastern. The waning gibbous Moon is a simple naked-eye sight, so you do not need a telescope or binoculars. Pick a spot with an open view low in that direction and watch the Moon climb above nearby rooftops or trees. See timeanddate’s lunar phase calendar.
Moon note: Waning gibbous, rising around 9:45 p.m. Eastern.
Bring a blanket, find a clear northeastern view, and enjoy the quiet before moonrise. For more easy backyard sky prompts, sign up for the NOOMMED newsletter.