Look to the west-southwest after dark on Thursday, Jan. 22, to see a 17%-lit waxing crescent moon moving close to the ringed planet Saturn.

NASA announced Tuesday the selection of three new science investigations that will strengthen humanity's understanding and exploration of the moon. As part of the agency's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign,

The rollout sets the stage for tests and dress rehearsals ahead of NASA's first crewed flight to the moon in more than 50 years. The mission could launch in three weeks.

A rare total lunar eclipse on Mar. 3 will bring a 58-minute “blood moon” to North America. It’s the only total lunar eclipse of 2026 — and last until 2028.

Skygazers in the Empire State will soon have the chance to see Saturn and our moon share a section of the night sky. The rendezvous, known in astronomy as a conjunction, is set to occur in January and presents spectators with a rare opportunity to see a phenomenon in which at least two celestial bodies appear from Earth to be near one another.

Unfortunately for planet hunters, Mercury, Venus and Mars are all too close to the sun to observe; they will come out of the solar glare in the weeks following the new moon. Mercury will emerge as an " evening star " in February and Venus will do so in March. Mars will emerge into the predawn skies in March.

Here’s exactly when, where and how to see a beautiful crescent moon grow in the southwestern sky after dark every night this week.

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3. What are Moon phases? Moon phases make up the lunar cycle, which NASA says last