Honestly, if you stepped outside tonight and looked up hoping for a massive, glowing orb to light up your driveway, you’re probably going to be a little disappointed.
It's January 15, 2026. The sky is doing something much more subtle.
If you are wondering which moon is it today, the answer is a Waning Crescent. But "crescent" almost feels like an overstatement. Right now, the Moon is basically a ghost of its former self, a tiny sliver hanging out in the pre-dawn sky while most of the world is still hitting the snooze button.
The Lowdown on Tonight's Phase
We are currently on Day 26 of the lunar cycle. That means the Moon has already done the heavy lifting of the month. It hit its Full "Wolf Moon" peak back on January 3rd, and since then, it’s been shrinking—or waning—as it retreats toward the Sun.
By the time you read this, only about 9% to 10% of the lunar surface is actually catching the sun's light from our perspective here on Earth.
It’s thin. Really thin.
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If you want to see it, you’ve gotta be a morning person. Because it’s so close to the Sun in our sky, it doesn't even rise until the "way-too-early" hours—roughly 4:45 AM for most mid-latitude observers. It’ll hang around until about 2:15 PM, but let’s be real: trying to find a 10% illuminated crescent in the middle of a bright blue Thursday afternoon is like looking for a needle in a haystack made of light.
Why the Waning Crescent Matters (Even If You Can't See It)
You might think a moon that’s 90% dark is a boring moon. You'd be wrong.
Actually, astronomers love this phase. When the Moon is this thin, you get a phenomenon called "Earthshine" or "the Da Vinci glow." This is when the dark part of the Moon isn't actually pitch black; it’s faintly lit by sunlight reflecting off Earth and hitting the lunar surface. It looks like a ghostly "Old Moon in the New Moon’s arms."
It’s incredibly cool to see through a pair of cheap binoculars.
Speaking of gear, if you happen to have a telescope, tonight is one of the few times you can get a clear look at the Grimaldi Basin. It’s this large, dark lava plain near the Moon’s western edge. Because the sunlight is hitting the Moon at such a sharp, low angle right now, the shadows in the craters are long and dramatic. It makes the lunar landscape look like a crumpled piece of velvet rather than a flat disc.
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The Astrology Side: Sagittarius and Capricorn Vibes
For those who care more about the "vibes" than the orbital mechanics, the Moon is currently transiting through Sagittarius.
Wait.
It's actually a weird mix today. While the Moon itself is chilling in the adventurous, truth-seeking sign of Sagittarius, we’ve got a massive "clumping" of planets—the Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars—all sitting in Capricorn.
Basically, your brain might want to go on a spontaneous road trip or start a deep philosophical debate (that’s the Sagittarius Moon talking), but the rest of the universe is telling you to sit down, check your bank account, and finish your spreadsheets (that’s the Capricorn influence). It’s a day for realistic planning rather than wild gambles.
Quick Lunar Facts for January 15, 2026
- Exact Phase: Waning Crescent
- Illumination: ~9.1%
- Moon Age: 26.3 days
- Next New Moon: January 18, 2026
- Distance: Roughly 250,800 miles away (It’s currently heading toward "apogee," the farthest point in its orbit).
Stargazing Tip: Don't Just Look at the Moon
Since the Moon is so faint tonight, the rest of the sky is actually putting on a better show. Without the bright lunar glare, you can actually see the "winter stars" in all their glory.
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Look for Jupiter. It’s incredibly bright right now because it just reached "opposition" a few days ago (meaning Earth is directly between Jupiter and the Sun). It’ll be the brightest thing in the sky other than the Moon. If you have those binoculars out, you can easily spot its four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—lined up like little jewels next to the planet.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning on catching a glimpse of which moon is it today, your best bet is to set an alarm for about 30 minutes before sunrise tomorrow morning. Look toward the southeast. You'll see that razor-thin silver sliver hanging low on the horizon.
If you miss it, don't sweat it. The Moon is moving fast. By Sunday, January 18, it will be a New Moon, completely invisible, marking the start of a brand new lunar cycle. That's the perfect time to start a new project or just enjoy the darkest skies of the month for some serious star-watching.
Grab a stargazing app like Stellarium or SkyGuide on your phone. Point it at that bright "star" near the horizon tonight—spoiler alert: it's probably Jupiter or Saturn—and see what else is hiding in the dark while the Moon is taking its monthly nap.