As we speak, the moon is gaining more illumination from the sun, appearing larger and brighter each night. Currently, the moon is 89 percent illuminated, appearing nearly—but not quite—full in the sky.

Wondering how today’s moon will impact you? Here’s everything you should know about the current moon phase, including its symbolism and astrological impact.

Current Moon Phase: December 31, 2025

Today’s moon phase is the waxing gibbous moon, which starts in Taurus and moves into Gemini in the morning. The moon currently has around 89% illumination from the sun.

“On December 31, the moon is 11.61 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last new moon. It takes 29.53 days for the moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all eight moon phases,” Moongiant reports.

What Is the Waxing Gibbous Moon Phase?

The waxing gibbous moon is the fourth of eight phases of the lunar cycle, occurring just before the full moon.

According to NASA, during the waxing gibbous, “most of the moon’s dayside has come into view, and the moon appears brighter in the sky.” It will continue to look larger by the day until we finally reach the full moon at peak illumination.

Waxing Gibbous Moon in Gemini

Today’s waxing gibbous moon starts in the Earth sign of Taurus, a grounded, pleasure-seeking sign. However, by around 8 a.m. EST, it will move into Gemini, bringing an air of excitement.

According to Astroseek, “Moon in Gemini manifests itself by the need for changes and spontaneity. Safety lies in thinking about your feelings and sharing them with others. You can be more talkative and speak with ease these days. You might have a better ability to keep a cool head, but beware, [a] cold heart can discourage others. Harmony of thinking and feeling is important.”

Waxing Gibbous Moon Symbolism

As the last phase before the full moon, the waxing gibbous moon represents increased energy, momentum, and opportunities. You might find yourself pushing past obstacles or refinding your current routine to better align with your goals.

In preparation for the full moon, which will mark a period of celebration and release, try to tie up any loose knots in your life. However, no matter what you do, refuse to give up on your dreams. This phase might test you or push your boundaries, but so long as you remain grounded and disciplined, you will find success in your endeavors.

Additionally, don’t let fear, insecurity, or ego hold you back. These lack power unless you feed them. Keep your eye on the prize, and stay on track.

The post Tonight’s Moon Phase: December 31, 2025 appeared first on VICE.

As the first full moon of the year, the Wolf Moon carries profound spiritual significance. Wondering how you can work with this energy? Let’s dive in.

What Is a Supermoon?

Saturday’s Wolf Moon, aka January’s full moon, is considered a supermoon. A supermoon occurs when the full moon is at or near its closest point to Earth, making it appear even bigger than usual.

As NASA explains, “The Moon travels around our planet in an elliptical orbit, or an elongated circle, with Earth closer to one side of the ellipse. Each month, the Moon passes through the point closest to Earth (perigee) and the point farthest from Earth (apogee).”

A supermoon occurs when the moon passes through the perigee during the full moon stage. The moon can appear up to 14 percent larger at perigee than at apogee.

What Is a Wolf Moon?

Not only are we experiencing a supermoon this weekend, but it’s also known as the Wolf Moon, which holds significant symbolism. More on that later.

In simple terms, the Wolf Moon refers to the full moon that falls in January. Why? 

“The howling of wolves was often heard at this time of year,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains. “It was traditionally thought that wolves howled due to hunger, but we now know that wolves use howls to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and gather for hunting. European settlers may have used the term ‘Wolf Moon’ even before they came to North America.”

Of course, the Wolf Moon isn’t the only name for January’s full moon. Others include Center Moon, Cold Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Freeze Up Moon, Severe Moon, and Hard Moon, among countless others. 

My personal favorite is “Greetings Moon,” which was named by Western Abenaki. It feels like the perfect title for the first moon of the new year.

Full Moon in Cancer

This particular full moon will occur in Cancer, a water sign known for its empathetic, gentle, and sensitive nature.

According to Astroseek, when the moon enters Cancer, “You may be prone to emotional fluctuations; you should learn to forgive and forget in order to avoid depression from thinking too much about things.” 

Additionally, you might have a more subjective view of the world. Allow yourself space and solitude, especially if you’re falling into neediness. Be intentional with your words and actions.

When a full moon occurs in a sign, it amplifies the experience even more. So, as we just covered, the full moon in Cancer might trigger dependency and insecurity. Don’t fight or avoid this energy. Rather, dive into it without any judgment. 

Be present with yourself, journaling through your feelings and any emotional wounds that might come up. If approached with honesty and care, it can help you gain more confidence and self-assurance. 

Wolf Moon Symbolism

The Wolf Moon is deeply symbolic. As the first of the year, it represents renewal, reflection, and community. Just as the wolves locate and gather pack members to reinforce social bonds, we, too, should look to our community for connection and fulfillment. 

As the moon in Cancer reminds us, it’s okay to crave external support—so long as you’re not losing your own independence. Practice gratitude, celebrate milestones, release old wounds, forgive yourself and others, and prepare for the year ahead.

The post January’s Wolf Supermoon Will Offer the Perfect Start to the New Year appeared first on VICE.

From December 20 through the first days of January, the Northern Hemisphere gets a stacked lineup. Bright planets, familiar constellations at their best, a supermoon, and even a couple of meteor showers. You don’t need a telescope for most of it. You just need to bundle up and step outside.

Here are ten good reasons to look up this Christmas season…

1. Jupiter takes over the evening sky

About 90 minutes after sunset, Jupiter rises in the east and immediately steals focus. It shines with a steady intensity that makes everything else fade into the background. By early January, it reaches its brightest point of the year.

2. The winter solstice delivers peak darkness

December 21 brings the longest night of the year. Once the thin crescent moon sets, the sky goes properly dark, creating ideal conditions for stargazing that don’t come often.

3. The Ursid meteor shower sneaks in

The Ursids peak around the solstice. They aren’t like the Geminids, but on nights without a moon, you might spot a few bright and clear streaks if you stay up late.

4. Earthshine softens the early evenings

In the days before Christmas, the waxing crescent moon glows faintly on its dark side. That ghostly light comes from sunlight bouncing off Earth itself.

5. The International Space Station might photobomb Christmas Eve

If you time it right, the ISS can glide overhead as a bright, silent point of light. NASA’s tracking tools can tell you when to look.

6. Saturn pairs up with the moon

The first-quarter moon will sit near Saturn on December 26. The bright moon and Saturn’s steady light make them easy to spot together.

7. Orion finally gets center stage

Winter is when Orion looks immaculate. The Belt stands out clearly, and binoculars reveal the Orion Nebula, a star-forming region 1,300 light-years away.

8. The Christmas Tree Cluster earns its name

Using binoculars or a small telescope, you can see this young group of stars close to Orion. It’s dim, but its triangle shape makes it stand out in very dark conditions.

9. The moon brushes past the Pleiades

On New Year’s Eve, a nearly full moon rises close to the Seven Sisters. The glare washes out some stars, but the grouping remains striking.

10. The Wolf Supermoon closes the show

January 3 brings the final supermoon of the streak. Rising at sunset, it appears larger and brighter than usual, especially near the horizon.

If nothing else, the holiday skies can offer you some much-needed silence in the dark. 

The post Your Complete Guide to Stargazing During the 2025 Holiday Season appeared first on VICE.

It’s free, fast, and takes about as much effort as signing up for yet another streaming trial you’ll forget to cancel. Will anything “special” happen? No. But it is a fun way to be a part of history.

Artemis II is scheduled to launch no later than April 2026 with four astronauts on board: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Their ten-day journey will push about 4,600 miles beyond the Moon, loop them back toward Earth, and give NASA a real-time test of its deep-space systems before future missions that aim even farther out.

If you want your name along for the ride, NASA says it only takes three steps.

1. Visit the registration page

NASA’s Send Your Name with Artemis portal is where the whole thing starts. Click, open, done.

2. Enter your name and a PIN

You submit your first and last name, then choose a 4- to 7-digit PIN. NASA warns that it cannot recover a lost PIN later, which might be the most on-brand government sentence ever written.

3. Download your digital boarding pass

Once you hit submit, NASA generates a personalized boarding pass that looks fancier than anything handed out at an actual airport. Save it, screenshot it, cherish it.

Every submitted name will be stored on an SD card mounted inside the Orion spacecraft. As Orion heads into deep space, the crew will spend the first two days testing systems near Earth before firing the service module engine to break out of orbit. The translunar injection burn will send them on a four-day figure-eight path around the far side of the Moon. Along the way, scientists will collect data on radiation, human performance, and communication tech that will support future missions to Mars.

After the lunar swing, the spacecraft will return for a high-speed reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, where NASA and the Department of Defense will recover the crew and capsule.

Sending your name obviously doesn’t make you part of the mission crew, but it does give you a tiny foothold in a milestone flight humans have been trying to reach again for half a century. As far as free souvenirs from space go, it beats a fridge magnet. And, hey. It’s wholesome fun. We need more of that.

The post How to Send Your Name to Space on NASA’s Next Moon Mission appeared first on VICE.

The study, published in Nature, combined years of laser ranging, gravity mapping, and Apollo-era seismic data. Led by Arthur Briaud of France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, the team found that the Moon’s inner core is solid with a density close to iron. It measures about 258 kilometers in radius and sits within a molten outer layer roughly 360 kilometers thick—essentially a scaled-down version of Earth’s core.

That finding changes what we thought we knew about the Moon’s past. For years, scientists have debated whether its center was molten or solid. Briaud’s model ends the argument and helps explain how the Moon once generated a magnetic field strong enough to magnetize ancient rocks before fading billions of years ago.

What’s Inside the Moon?

Magnetic fields are born from movement in molten metal. Confirming the Moon’s layered core lets researchers estimate when its internal “dynamo” began and when it finally went still. Geological evidence suggests it was active more than 3.5 billion years ago, slowly weakening by around 3.2 billion years ago.

The study also supports a phenomenon called mantle overturn, where dense material sinks toward the center while lighter material rises. It’s a slow-motion mixing of the Moon’s interior that may account for the iron-rich volcanic regions scattered across its surface. In other words, the Moon was once far more active than its calm exterior suggests.

Future missions could settle the details. Better seismometers and new laser reflectors could track subtle moonquakes and map its interior in real time. For now, the mystery that launched decades of speculation has an answer. The Moon isn’t hollow, haunted, or hiding aliens. It’s solid, molten, and a lot like Earth.

The post After Decades of Theories, We Finally Know What’s Inside the Moon appeared first on VICE.

If you’re into astrology at all, you likely know that Mercury retrograde is associated with miscommunications, tech issues, travel disruptions, and heightened nostalgia. There’s a reason so many astrologers warn not to text your ex during this time…

Now, mix in a new moon, and you’re in for quite the adventure—which is exactly what we’ll get next week. On November 20, we will experience a powerful new moon in Scorpio, a particularly intuitive, sensitive, and vengeful water sign.

3 Zodiac Signs Are In For Some Chaos During the Next New Moon

According to Rachel Ruth Tate, certified astrologer at Casinos Analyzer, this lunation “creates a powerful connection between the sun, moon, and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio that will leave lasting mental impressions we won’t fully understand until next spring.”

While we all will experience this deep-cutting, mind-cleansing emotional exorcism of sorts, certain zodiac signs might feel it more. Here are the three astrological signs likely to endure the most shadow work during this transit.

1. Scorpio

With both the new moon and Mercury retrograde occurring in Scorpio at the same time, this lunation is bound to stir up chaos for the water sign.

“Good thing you were made so resilient, Scorpio, because the moon falls in your sign, making every new moon a somewhat painful internal moment,” Tate says. “With Mercury as the natural psychopomp, its presence in this new moon provides unique insight into all that stews and festers inside.”

Don’t be surprised if you experience emotional breakdowns and personal breakthroughs. 

“You have no choice but to ride this wave out—and if anyone can handle a face-off with their demons, it’s you,” Tate emphasizes. “Letting go is especially difficult for Scorpios, but too much bitterness makes a poor brew, and revenge only delays real healing.”

2. Gemini

Gemini is another sign destined for a shakeup this month.

“Whenever your ruler Mercury is mixed up in a lunation, you’re mixed up in it too, Gemini,” says Tate. “This new moon in Scorpio is going to be awkward for you, as these signs form a tense quincunx. It’s easier for you to deflect with humor than to take emotional accountability—and that’s not an option right now.”

Tate recommends using this time for journaling and deep introspection. Shadow work can greatly benefit you now.

3. Virgo

Virgos might be the most organized of all zodiacs, but nothing can prepare them for this turbulent transit.

“Wherever Mercury goes, Virgo follows, and this new moon in Scorpio sends you into a deep dive as your retrograde ruler goes cazimi,” says Tate. “While processing data is your gift, this flood of emotional information will be a lot to handle. Clear your schedule around November 19–20 to ease into the big feelings and realizations to come.”

If needed, Tate also recommends talking your feelings out with a trusted loved one and engaging in some shadow work, such as inner child healing or even reparenting.

The post 3 Zodiac Signs That Should Brace for Chaos During the Coming New Moon appeared first on VICE.

Today’s moon phase is the last quarter with about 50 percent illumination from the sun. If you have clear skies in your area tonight, you might see this “half moon” in all of its glory. 

Wondering how today’s moon will impact you? Here’s everything you should know about the current moon phase, including its symbolism and astrological impact.

Today’s Moon Phase: November 12, 2025

Today’s moon phase is the last quarter moon in Leo, a fire sign known for its confidence, charm, and adventurous spirit. The moon is currently around 50 percent illuminated by the sun, losing more illumination as the day passes.

“On November 12, the moon is 22.64 days old. This refers to how many days it has been since the last new moon. It takes 29.53 days for the moon to orbit the Earth and go through the lunar cycle of all eight moon phases,” Moongiant explains.

What is the Last quarter Moon Phase?

The last quarter moon phase is the seventh of eight moon phases. Typically, this phase lasts for about one day, when the moon “shrinks” down to 50 percent illumination from the sun.

According to NASA, “The moon looks like it’s half illuminated from the perspective of Earth, but really you’re seeing half of the half of the moon that’s illuminated by the sun―or a quarter. A last quarter moon, also known as a third quarter moon, rises around midnight and sets around noon.”

This phase occurs just after the waning gibbous moon and just before the waning crescent moon, when the illumination reaches 50 percent.

Last Quarter Moon in Leo

Today’s last quarter moon occurs in the fire sign of Leo. This zodiac sign is known for its creativity and passion for life. In fact, Leos thrive in the limelight, craving attention, validation, and approval—which ultimately can be their downfall.

During the moon in Leo, AstroSeek says, “You feel safe in moments when you can impress others and get praise and admiration. Yet, when you get into the spotlight, you may find yourself at a loss. Maybe you should admit your fear of criticism and your inability to accept criticism. It is very important to accept feedback and use it for improvement.”

Last Quarter Moon Symbolism

Many people believe the moon symbolizes life’s natural cycles, femininity, intuition, and our connection to the divine. In fact, some ancient cultures and spiritual practices would host celebrations during the full moon, worshipping the moon and practicing gratitude with their community. 

Each moon phase is also associated with its own theme. For example, the last quarter moon is often a time for release and letting go. Many view it as an emotional “purge.” During this phase, you might find yourself finally parting ways with old patterns, habits, or even people who no longer serve you. While this is typically a painful part of growth, it’s necessary for moving forward and calling in new opportunities. Trust that what is aligned with you will stay.

The post Today’s Moon Phase: November 12, 2025 appeared first on VICE.

We’ve officially made it through another week, and with the moon currently in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius, the energy is particularly fiery and adventurous. We are currently under the waxing crescent moon, which is about 9 percent illuminated by the sun, meaning only a small sliver is visible in the sky.

Today’s moon is nearly three days old out of a 29.5-day lunar cycle. Here’s everything you should know about the current moon phase, including its symbolism and astrological impact.

Today’s Moon Phase: October 24, 2025

Today’s moon phase is a waxing crescent in Sagittarius. The current moon is only about three days old and is just 9% illuminated by the sun.

According to Moongiant, “This is the first phase after the new moon and is a great time to see the features of the moon’s surface. The moon is close to the sun in the sky and mostly dark except for the right edge of the moon, which becomes brighter as the days get closer to the next phase, which is a first quarter with a 50% illumination.”

What Is the Waxing Crescent Moon Phase?

The waxing crescent moon phase is the second phase of the lunar cycle, lasting for around one week. This phase occurs just after the new moon and just before the first quarter moon. During this seven-day period, the moon gains more illumination from the sun each day, seemingly growing in size from our view here on Earth. 

According to NASA, “This silver sliver of a moon occurs when the illuminated half of the moon faces mostly away from Earth, with only a tiny portion visible to us from our planet. It grows daily as the moon’s orbit carries the moon’s dayside farther into view. Every day, the moon rises a little bit later.”

Waxing Crescent Moon in Sagittarius

Today’s waxing crescent moon is in the zodiac sign of Sagittarius—an adventurous, free-spirited fire sign. If you’re craving independence or zest from your life right now, you can blame the moon for that.

According to AstroSeek, “With [the] moon in Sagittarius, you have an optimistic approach to life and you believe that things will get better even if you get into trouble.”

“The greatest need is to always search for something,” AstroSeek continues. “In order to feel safe, you might find that you need to have a goal, mission, or philosophy that gives your life meaning.”

Waxing Crescent Moon Symbolism

The waxing crescent moon is a deeply symbolic phase of the lunar cycle, representing hope, inspiration, and manifestation. During this phase, many people like to set intentions for the lunar cycle, planting seeds that might sprout in the days ahead. Think of the waxing crescent as a fresh start filled with countless opportunities to manifest your desires and chase your dreams. 

If you’re feeling motivated under this moon phase, fuel that energy with aligned action and trust your instincts. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

The post Today’s Moon Phase: October 24, 2025 appeared first on VICE.

The first detailed record came in 1787, when British astronomer William Herschel spotted a glowing patch on the Moon that lingered for hours. He compared it to the brightness of a nebula and couldn’t explain what he was seeing. Centuries later, scientists are still chasing the same question.

Modern observations show that these lights come in many forms. Some are faint and diffuse, while others flare bright enough to be seen from Earth without any sort of magnification. According to Anthony Cook, a physics researcher at Aberystwyth University, roughly 3,000 have been logged through telescopes and cameras. Their duration ranges from milliseconds to hours, and those differences offer clues about what’s happening on the lunar surface.

What Are those Weird Lights Sometimes Seen on the Moon?

The quickest flashes are usually caused by meteoroids striking the Moon. Even a rock small enough to fit in your hand can create a burst of heat and light when it hits. High-speed cameras finally captured these impacts in the 1990s, confirming centuries of speculation. Since then, the European Space Agency’s NELIOTA project has documented nearly 200 more, many during meteor showers. What once seemed random now looks more like a steady rhythm of collisions.

Longer-lasting lights may have other explanations. Studies suggest that radon gas trapped under the surface occasionally bursts free during small moonquakes. As the gas decays, it releases a faint glow that can be seen from Earth. These outbursts often line up with regions rich in radioactive elements, which adds more credibility to the idea.

A few reports describe lights that last for hours. Some researchers believe solar wind might be stirring up lunar dust, lifting charged particles high enough to scatter starlight back toward us. Others think these events could be illusions created by satellites or atmospheric effects on Earth.

For a place that’s been studied from every angle, the Moon still has a habit of making us feel like we really don’t know anything about it at all. 

The post What Are Those Strange Lights People Keep Seeing on the Moon? appeared first on VICE.

The crater is called the South Pole-Aitken basin. It spans about 1,600 kilometers and was carved 4.3 billion years ago when a massive asteroid struck the young Moon. For years, scientists believed the object was hit from the south. Research from the University of Arizona, published in Nature, shows the impact came from the north instead. It’s a small detail that completely changes how scientists read the landscape.

“When a body hits at an angle, it doesn’t distribute material evenly,” said planetary geophysicist Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna, one of the study’s authors. “The downrange side is where debris from deep inside the Moon ends up.”

Astronauts Are Headed to the Moon’s Largest Crater After Detecting Something Weird

That direction matters. Artemis astronauts will land near the crater’s southern rim, exactly where that material is now buried. They could be walking over fragments of the Moon’s mantle, material no one has ever examined directly.

The new data could also help explain why the Moon looks so uneven. The side facing Earth is covered in dark volcanic plains, while the far side is thicker, colder, and scarred by ancient impacts. Scientists have long linked the difference to a group of radioactive elements known as KREEP—potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus—that once generated enough heat to drive volcanic activity.

Those elements are mostly trapped on the near side. The researchers believe the South Pole-Aitken impact cut across the border separating the two regions, exposing a deep section of crust where KREEP once pooled beneath the surface.

The basin still contains traces of thorium, another radioactive element that points to leftover magma from the Moon’s earliest days. When astronauts collect and return samples from the site, scientists will finally have a chance to study the material that shaped two very different hemispheres.

After billions of years, the Moon isn’t changing. We’re just finally getting close enough to understand the truth.

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