![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764059889_251_0x0.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
See a crescent moon on Nov. 24, 25 and 26, 2025. <\/p>\n
getty<\/p>\n
The dark side of the moon is real \u2014 but it\u2019s probably not what you think. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s always an unseen side to the moon because it\u2019s tidally locked to Earth, so it rotates just once during its monthly orbit. Consequently, we always see the same features on the moon, leading many to ponder what\u2019s on its dark side. <\/p>\n
The Moon\u2019s Far Side<\/p>\n
That question is flawed, commonly referring to its far side, the side we never see \u2014 but it\u2019s no darker than the side facing us. Half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun, as it orbits Earth, we see a different percentage lit. This week, a narrow crescent moon is growing in the western sky after dark, beginning its 29-day journey around Earth. Right now, its far side is almost entirely lit up. Only briefly during the next full moon on Dec. 4 will its far side be completely dark. <\/p>\n
The Far Side of the Moon. <\/p>\n
gettyLunar Night And \u2018Earthshine\u2019<\/p>\n
After sunset this week, the crescent moon\u2019s dark side \u2014 the night side of the moon \u2014 will glow with subtle \u201cEarthshine.\u201d Earthshine is sunlight reflected from Earth to the moon and back again, lighting up the lunar night. It makes the otherwise invisible part of the moon subtly visible, a quiet effect that lends the entire disk a ghostly appearance. No telescope is required \u2014 though binoculars will make the effect stand out. You\u2019re seeing light that has made the long journey from the sun to Earth, from Earth to the moon and from the moon back to your eyes. <\/p>\n
Where And When To Look<\/p>\n
Begin watching shortly after sunset. The moon will be low in the southwest, glowing in twilight. You\u2019ll see a slim, bright crescent \u2014 the part directly lit by the sun \u2014 but the full round shape of the moon may also be visible as a soft grey glow.<\/p>\n
A location with a clear view to the southwest is essential. Overhead, look for the Summer Triangle, a trio of bright stars made up of Vega, Deneb, and Altair. Altair sits closest to the moon, while Vega and Deneb point down toward it as the sky darkens.<\/p>\n
What You\u2019ll See<\/p>\n
The sunlit crescent will shine brightly, but look carefully, and you\u2019ll notice the full circle of the moon, dimly outlined \u2014 that\u2019s Earthshine at work. It recedes as the moon grows for two reasons. Firstly, when the moon is near new and thinnest in phase, Earth appears almost full from the moon\u2019s perspective, so it sends back the maximum amount of reflected light. Secondly, as the moon grows in illumination, it begins to overwhelm our eyes, so after a few nights it becomes impossible to detect \u201cEarthshine\u201d \u2014 but it\u2019s still there. <\/p>\n
A 9 percent waxing crescent moon lit with earthshine sets behind a church on December 25, 2022, in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty ImagesWhat\u2019s Next In The Night Sky<\/p>\n
Late November is a fabulous time to get re-acquainted with the night sky \u2014 and the moon and planets, in particular. After observing the dark side of the moon, swivel 180 degrees to face east, and you\u2019ll see a very bright Jupiter rising into the sky. Also, have a look for Uranus<\/a> if you’re under a very dark sky. Later in the week, Mercury makes a rare naked-eye appearance near Venus in the pre-dawn eastern sky, peaking on Nov. 30.<\/p>\n