March Moon Phase: See Tonight’s Waxing Gibbous & Next Full Moon Date

As March begins, many skywatchers are turning their attention to the Moon. On Sunday, March 1, 2026, the Moon is in the Waxing Gibbous phase, meaning it’s more than half illuminated but not yet full. In fact, 94% of the Moon will be lit up tonight, offering excellent opportunities for observation even with the naked eye. This phase sets the stage for the Full Moon arriving on March 3rd, a spectacle accompanied by a total lunar eclipse.

What You Can Notice Tonight

Even without specialized equipment, tonight’s Waxing Gibbous Moon reveals fascinating surface features. According to NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, observers can readily spot the dark, basaltic plains known as the Mares Imbrium and Crisium, as well as the prominent Tycho Crater. For those with binoculars, the Mares Nectaris and Frigoris, along with the Endymion Crater, come into view. Telescope users are in for an even greater treat, with the potential to observe the Apollo 15 and 17 landing sites and the Schiller Crater.

Understanding Moon Phases

The Moon doesn’t change shape, of course; what we perceive as different phases is simply a matter of how much of the sunlit side of the Moon is visible from Earth. The Moon orbits our planet approximately every 29.5 days, and throughout this cycle, it progresses through eight distinct phases. These phases – Modern Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent – are a result of the changing angles at which we view the Moon’s illuminated surface. NASA provides a detailed explanation of these phases, highlighting that the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, whereas the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface varies.

The Approaching Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse

The next Full Moon is scheduled for March 3, 2026, and it’s not just any Full Moon. This particular Full Moon will coincide with a total lunar eclipse, a dramatic event where the Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface. As detailed by When the Curves Line Up, the peak of the Full Moon occurs at 5:38 a.m. Central Time, with totality beginning around 5:03 a.m. CT. Observers in the Americas will have a chance to see the totally eclipsed Moon near the western horizon.

Moon’s Dance with Regulus

Beyond the eclipse, the Moon will also be making a close approach to the bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo. Throughout the first few days of March, the Moon and Regulus will appear relatively close together in the sky. On March 1st, the Moon, 98% illuminated, will be over one-third of the way from the eastern horizon to overhead and nearly 6° to the upper right of Regulus. By March 2nd, the Moon will be over 20° above the eastern horizon and 7.8° to Regulus’ lower left. Interestingly, the Moon will actually occult (eclipse) Regulus for observers in Asia and parts of Micronesia and Polynesia on March 2nd.

Blue Ghost’s Lunar Landing

Adding to the excitement surrounding the March 1-3 timeframe, the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost lander is scheduled to touch down on the Moon on Sunday, March 2, 2026. NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day featured an image of the lander in February, showcasing its view of the lunar far side. The Blue Ghost mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, aims to deliver science and technology experiments to the Mare Crisium impact basin. The lander is expected to operate during the lunar daylight hours at its landing site, approximately 14 Earth days.

Mare Crisium: The Landing Site

The Mare Crisium, or “Sea of Crises,” is a large, dark basaltic plain on the near side of the Moon. It’s a relatively smooth and circular feature, making it an attractive landing site for robotic missions. The area is of scientific interest due to its volcanic history and potential for revealing insights into the Moon’s formation and evolution. The Blue Ghost lander’s experiments will contribute to the Artemis campaign, furthering our understanding of the lunar environment.

What Comes Next: Continued Lunar Exploration

The convergence of these events – the Waxing Gibbous Moon, the approaching Full Moon and lunar eclipse, and the Blue Ghost landing – highlights a period of renewed interest in lunar exploration. Following the Blue Ghost landing, scientists will analyze the data collected from its experiments. The results will inform future lunar missions and contribute to our broader understanding of the Moon’s potential as a platform for scientific discovery and resource utilization. The success of the Blue Ghost mission will also pave the way for more frequent and ambitious commercial lunar landings, accelerating the pace of lunar exploration in the years to come. Further analysis of the eclipse data will also provide valuable information about the Earth’s atmosphere and the composition of the lunar surface.