The moon is bright tonight because it is in its Waxing Crescent phase, with roughly 42-45% of the lunar surface illuminated by the Sun. This means the sunlit portion of the moon is growing, making it visibly bright in the sky after sunset. The moon is positioned relatively close to the sun in the sky, so the bright crescent appears prominently, especially in the western sky after sunset. This phase allows for clear visibility of lunar surface features along the illuminated edge, and the brightness is a reflection of the sunlight off the moon's surface.
The brightness can be more noticeable if the moon is low on the horizon, where atmospheric conditions can enhance its glow, and sometimes the moon appears even larger or more striking due to optical illusions related to its position in the sky.
