Moon
Full Moons - 2021-22
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
Graph of the monthly apparent swings of the lunar surface in both longitude and latitude
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 Lunar X & Rayed Craters
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 - 2021 MAY 12
View of the western sky from Chicagoland, with the young crescent Moon left of Venus at 20 minutes after sunset
View of the western sky from Chicagoland, with the young crescent Moon left of Venus at 20 minutes after sunset
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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 2021 MAY 11 at 19:22 UT (14:22 CDT).
Sharp eyed observers may attempt to spot the 1-day-old Moon on May 12. 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 2021 MAY 11 at 19:22 UT (14:22 CDT).
Sharp eyed observers may attempt to spot the 1-day-old Moon on May 12. Others should have better luck the following evening. See my New Moon Spotting chart above.
Lunar Boat - U-Shaped Moon - 2021 OCT 05
Moon with a U-shape in the manner of a boat sailing in the predawn sky above the eastern horizon as viewed from Chicagoland
Moon with a U-shape in the manner of a boat sailing in the predawn sky above the eastern horizon as viewed from Chicagoland
Notice that these two lists are not identical. A Full Moon's nearness to the Earth is not the only consideration in determining a Full Moon's brightness.
Two other factors are the spatial nearness of the Moon to the Sun, and the angular nearness of the Moon to the Antisolar Point.
That's why the brightest Full Moons tend to occur not far from early January when the Earth is near perihelion, and often when the Moon is just touching the Earth's Penumbra around the time of a Lunar Eclipse.
Two other factors are the spatial nearness of the Moon to the Sun, and the angular nearness of the Moon to the Antisolar Point.
That's why the brightest Full Moons tend to occur not far from early January when the Earth is near perihelion, and often when the Moon is just touching the Earth's Penumbra around the time of a Lunar Eclipse.
