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  • 29 Dec, 2025
  • by Nisha
  • 2 Min Read
  • 0 Comments

Moon Phase Today: December 29 Waxing Gibbous – Full Guide

The Glow We're Getting Tonight

Hey night owls! December 29, 2025, and the moon's putting on a show. At 69% illuminated, it's a Waxing Gibbous—big, bold, and feature-packed. Just 5 days from the Jan 3 Full Moon. Perfect timing for India's clear winter skies. Let's unpack what you're seeing.

What Exactly is Waxing Gibbous?

Picture the moon orbiting Earth every 29.5 days. "Waxing" means growing brighter (from our view). "Gibbous" = more than half lit but not full. Tonight: 69% sunlight bathes the face we see. The shadowed edge? That's the terminator line—craters pop there most dramatically.

NASA's tracker confirms: Illumination hits peak visibility around now. Last full was Dec 4's "Cold Moon" Supermoon. Next? Jan 3's "Wolf Moon."

Naked-Eye Wonders: Spot These 5 Features

No telescope? No problem. Step out post-7 PM IST (Kolkata moonrise ~6:50 PM). Look east:

  • Mare Fecunditatis & Serenitatis: Dark "seas" (basalt plains from ancient lava). Size of small countries.

  • Copernicus Crater: 93km wide, rayed ejecta like a bullseye. Best naked-eye crater.

Clear Kolkata skies beat city lights—head to rooftop or park.

Binocular Boost: 3 Hidden Gems

Grab 7x50 binoculars (₹500-2000 on Amazon India):

  • Endymion Crater: Northern edge, 83km wide, deep shadows.

  • Alpine Valley: Straight "rille" crack in lunar Alps.

  • Apennine Mountains: Jagged range, 500km long—moon’s "Himalayas."

Magnifies surface 7x. Steady on balcony rail.

Telescope Time: Astronaut Landmarks

Small scope (60-100mm)? Chase history:

  • Apollo 11 Site: Sea of Tranquility. Eagle landed here 1969.

  • Descartes Highlands: Apollo 16's rugged terrain.

  • Fra Mauro: Apollo 14's scoop spot.

Apps like Stellarium or SkySafari pinpoint exact spots. Free!

Full Lunar Cycle Breakdown

Moon phases aren't random—sunlight angles change as it orbits:

  1. New Moon: Invisible (Earth-Sun-Moon line).

  2. Waxing Crescent: 1-25% lit, right sliver.

  3. First Quarter: 50% right side.

  4. Waxing Gibbous: 50-100% (tonight's star!).

  5. Full Moon: 100%—opposite sun.

  6. Waning Gibbous: 100-50%, right edge darkens.

  7. Last Quarter: 50% left side.

  8. Waning Crescent: Fading left sliver.

Cycle repeats ~29.53 days (synodic month).

India Stargazing Tips Tonight

  • Best Time: 8-10 PM IST. Moon ~30° up.

  • Kolkata Viewing: Low pollution east = prime. Avoid Vidyasagar Setu glare.

  • Weather Check: Clear till midnight (IMD forecast).

  • Phone Snap: Night mode + 10-sec timer. Craters sharpen.

  • Moon Myths: Bengal's "Chand Mama" lore—full moon tides boost fishing.

Why This Phase Rocks for Beginners

69% light = ideal contrast. New moon? Too dark. Full? Washed out. Gibbous = Goldilocks viewing.

Grab chai, step out. Tag your moon pics! What's your best lunar memory?

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Nisha