Key facts
- On June 4, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous.
- Approximately 87% of the Moon will be illuminated.
- Visible features include Mare Serenitatis, Aristarchus Plateau, and Mare Tranquillitatis.
- The next Full Moon is scheduled for June 29.
- The lunar cycle consists of eight phases, occurring over approximately 29.5 days.
On Thursday, June 4, the Moon is in its Waning Gibbous phase, with approximately 87% of its surface illuminated. Without visual aids, observers can spot features such as Mare Serenitatis, Aristarchus Plateau, and Mare Tranquillitatis. With binoculars, the Grimaldi Basin, Alps Mountains, and Posidonus Crater become visible. A telescope reveals additional details like the Apollo 15 and 16 landing sites and the Caucasus Mountains. The next Full Moon is scheduled for June 29. Moon phases are a result of the Moon completing one orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days. During this orbit, the amount of sunlight reflected from the Moon's surface that is visible from Earth changes, creating the eight distinct lunar phases: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent.