Have you glanced at the night sky recently and wondered, “What Type Of Moon Is Tonight?” Tonight, February 20, 2025, the moon graces us with its presence in the Last Quarter phase. This significant phase in the lunar cycle marks a time when the moon is three-quarters of the way through its orbit around our Earth, approximately three weeks after the New Moon.
For observers in the northern hemisphere, the Last Quarter Moon presents a distinct appearance: the left side of the lunar disk is illuminated by sunlight, while the right side remains shrouded in darkness. Conversely, for those in the southern hemisphere, this illumination pattern is reversed, with the right side appearing bright and the left side dark. This phase is also known as the Third Quarter Moon and is characterized by its unique rising and setting times. You can expect to see the Last Quarter Moon ascending over the eastern horizon around midnight and setting in the west around noon the following day. As we move further away from the Last Quarter, the moon’s illuminated portion will gradually decrease each night, leading us towards the next New Moon.
To explore the complete cycle of lunar phases throughout this month, you can visit the February 2025 Moon Phases Calendar.
Delving Deeper into Today’s Last Quarter Phase
On February 20th, the Last Quarter Moon exhibits an illumination of 53%. This percentage signifies the fraction of the Moon’s surface that is lit up by the sun from our perspective on Earth. It’s important to note that lunar illumination is not static; it’s a dynamic value that changes daily, with variations of up to 10% possible in a single day. Furthermore, on this particular date, the Moon is 21.91 days old. This “age” refers to the number of days that have elapsed since the most recent New Moon. The entire lunar cycle, encompassing all eight distinct moon phases, takes approximately 29.53 days for the Moon to complete its orbit around the Earth.
Today’s Zodiac Moon Sign: Scorpio
In addition to its phase, the Moon also occupies a specific zodiac sign. Currently, the moon is in Scorpio, positioned at 19.18°. The Moon entered the sign of Scorpio on Loading… and will transition into Sagittarius on Loading…. The zodiac moon sign reflects the Moon’s apparent location as it traverses through the twelve constellations of the zodiac. Each zodiac moon sign typically lasts for about 2 to 2.5 days, as the Moon progresses along its celestial path.
Understanding the 8 Lunar Phases
The Moon undergoes a fascinating cycle of 8 lunar phases during its 29.53-day orbit. These phases are categorized into four major phases – Full Moon, New Moon, First Quarter, and Last Quarter – and four minor phases that occur between them: Waxing Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent. For a comprehensive understanding of the Moon cycle and each individual phase, you can refer to the Wikipedia Lunar Phase page.
