# Tonight's Moon is a growing crescent

> The Moon is waxing brighter on September 16, with surface details coming into better view each night.
- Title: Tonight's Moon is a growing crescent · Mashable | Shortify
- Summary: The Moon is waxing brighter on September 16, with surface details coming into better view each night. On September 16, 2026, the Moon is a Waxing Crescent…
- Keywords: moon, moon phase, waxing crescent, september 16 2026, nasa daily moon guide, mare crisium, mare fecunditatis, endymion crater, full moon, september 26, earth, sun
- Source: Mashable — https://mashable.com/science/moon-phase-today-sept-16-2026
- Author: Lois Mackenzie
- Published: 2026-09-16T04:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: moon, moon phase, waxing crescent, september 16 2026, nasa daily moon guide, mare crisium, mare fecunditatis, endymion crater, full moon, september 26, earth, sun
## A brighter crescent
The Moon is showing more of its lit side this week. Each night gives skywatchers a better look at its surface features.

> There's a little more of the Moon to see this week
## Today’s phase
On Wednesday, September 16, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide lists the Moon as a Waxing Crescent with 26% of its surface visible.

> the Moon is in the Waxing Crescent phase
## What to spot
Mare Crisium and Mare Fecunditatis should be visible without gear. Binoculars or a telescope can bring Endymion Crater into clearer view.
## Full Moon date
The next Full Moon comes on September 26, when the entire near side appears fully illuminated from Earth.

> The next Full Moon will take place on September 26.
## Why phases change
The Moon orbits Earth about every 29.5 days. As its position shifts around Earth and the Sun, we see different parts of its sunlit side.
## The cycle repeats
The pattern runs from New Moon to crescent, quarter, gibbous, Full Moon, then back through waning phases before going dark again.
## Key takeaway

On September 16, 2026, the Moon is a Waxing Crescent with 26% illumination, and the next Full Moon arrives September 26.