Moon Phase Today: October 11 2026 – A Thin Waxing Crescent Appears

After yesterday’s new moon, the night sky is finally giving us a hint of silver. On Sunday, October 11 2026, the Moon is just shy of a full sliver – a waxing crescent that peeks out on the right side for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. NASA’s Daily Moon Guide records the illumination at a modest 1 %.

That means if you glance upward after dusk you’ll see a delicate curve, barely more than a whisper of light against the dark. It’s easy to miss, especially if city lights are competing for attention, so give your eyes a minute to adjust and you might just catch that subtle glow.

Looking ahead, the next full moon is penciled in for October 25 or 26, depending on where you are on the globe. Mark your calendars – the Moon will be fully swollen and bright, perfect for night‑time photography or a simple stroll under its glow.

For the curious, here’s a quick refresher on why the Moon changes shape at all. It orbits Earth roughly every 29.5 days, and as its position shifts relative to the Sun, the portion we can see illuminated waxes and wanes. The cycle rolls through eight classic phases:

New Moon – The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so the side we face is cloaked in darkness.

Waxing Crescent – A thin slice of sunlight begins to kiss the right edge (for Northern Hemisphere viewers).

First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit on the right side, giving us the classic “half‑Moon” look.

Waxing Gibbous – More than half is bright, but it isn’t quite full yet.

Full Moon – The entire face is illuminated, a dazzling sphere that dominates the night.

Waning Gibbous – Light starts to retreat from the right, shrinking back toward the last quarter.

Third (Last) Quarter – The left half glows while the right fades.

Waning Crescent – A final thin sliver lingers on the left before darkness takes over again.

So tonight, keep an eye out for that slender crescent. It may be easy to overlook, but it’s the first whisper of a new lunar story that will swell into a full, luminous moon by the end of the month.