Moon
Full Moons
Panorama illustrating the geocentric declination, distance, angular diameter and brightness of 15 Full Moons
Panorama illustrating the geocentric declination, distance, angular diameter and brightness of 15 Full Moons
Lunar Libration
Graph of the monthly apparent swings of the lunar surface in both longitude and latitude at 00:00 UT
Graph of the monthly apparent swings of the lunar surface in both longitude and latitude at 00:00 UT
Lunar & Solar Eclipses
Preview graphics with data for upcoming eclipses with high Solex numerical intergration accuracy & precise elliptical shadow of Earth
Preview graphics with data for upcoming eclipses with high Solex numerical intergration accuracy & precise elliptical shadow of Earth
Moon
Lunar Terminator on Rayed Craters & Lunar X
Table of sunrises and sunsets on craters as the lunar terminator sweeps across them during the current lunar month
Table of sunrises and sunsets on craters as the lunar terminator sweeps across them during the current lunar month
Lunar Occultations of Planets & Stars
Graze maps, preview graphics and Besselian elements for upcoming occultations of bright planets & stars by the Moon
Graze maps, preview graphics and Besselian elements for upcoming occultations of bright planets & stars by the Moon
New Moon Spotting
View of the western sky from Chicagoland, with the young crescent Moon not long after sunset
View of the western sky from Chicagoland, with the young crescent Moon not long after sunset
It’s a challenge every month to spot the New Moon after sunset by naked eye (or eyeglasses) as early as possible. I use the term New Moon in its classical sense of one’s first sighting of the Moon after its monthly solar conjunction (Dark Moon).
The Dark Moon (which some call New Moon) will reach a geocentric minimum illuminated fraction of its apparent disk on 2026 MAY 16 at 19:54 UT (14:54 CDT).
Sharp eyed observers may attempt to spot the one-day-old Moon after sunset on May 17th. Others should have better luck the following evening. See my New Moon Spotting chart above.
The Dark Moon (which some call New Moon) will reach a geocentric minimum illuminated fraction of its apparent disk on 2026 MAY 16 at 19:54 UT (14:54 CDT).
Sharp eyed observers may attempt to spot the one-day-old Moon after sunset on May 17th. Others should have better luck the following evening. See my New Moon Spotting chart above.
HALF MOON
We see a waxing Half Moon in the evening sky when the Moon has completed the First Quarter of a Lunation.
We see a waning Half Moon in the morning sky when the Moon has begun the Last Quarter of a Lunation.
