Moon

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 be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2018 DEC 07 at 07:20 UT (01:20 CST).

As we approach the Winter Solstice, sighting a young crescent Moon starts to become easier than in recent months. And the Moon being north of the ecliptic at this time this year can be helpful. Some sharp eyed North Americans might attempt spotting the more than half-day-old Moon on December 7. However, it will be not much beyond the Danjon limit of 5° from the Sun, making success rather unlikely. Most observers should have much better luck the next evening. See my New Moon Spotting graphics listed above.

Also above is a link to a panorama including all Diana’s Bows in 2018. Those are waxing crescent Moons about 10% illuminated and aged about three days. The name is a reference to the archery equipment of the ancient Roman Goddess of Hunting and the Moon. The graphic nicely illustrates how the season of the year affects the viewing of a waxing crescent Moon.

Monthly Lunar Calendar

Daily lunar phases, eclipses, planetary events and meteor showers

A Great Computer Desktop Background Wallpaper!

Diana’s Bows - 2018

Panorama of all 12 evening waxing crescent Moons approximately 10% illuminated and aged about 3 days - See last paragraph of article below.

Morning Bows - 2018

Panorama of all 12 morning waning crescent Moons approximately 10% illuminated about 3 days prior to solar conjunction

Full Moons - 2018-19

Panorama illustrating the geocentric declination, distance, angular diameter and relative brightness of 15 Full Moons

Cycle of Lunar Phases

Simplified diagram not to true scale illustrating how the shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon’s apparent disk changes as our natural satellite orbits the Earth

Moon

Lunar Libration - November

Graphs of the monthly moderate apparent swings of the visible lunar surface in longitude and latitude

Lunar Libration - December

Graphs of the monthly moderate apparent swings of the visible lunar surface in longitude and latitude

Lunar Libration in 2 Dimensions Combined

Graph of the moderate apparent swings of the visible lunar surface combining longitude and latitude into a single 2-D chart for 00:00 CST (06:00 UT) each day

Lunar Terminator on Rayed Craters, Lunar X & Curtiss Cross

Table of sunrises and sunsets on various rayed craters, Lunar X and Curtiss Cross, as lunar terminator sweeps across them during current lunar month

SuperMoons - 2010-2029

10 Full Moons with greatest geocentric angular diameters Posted time of maximum fraction of lunar disk illuminated

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Eclipses - Lunar & Solar

Preview graphics and data for the upcoming lunar and solar eclipses - Solex numerical integration accuracy - Precise elliptical shadow of Earth

Brightest Moons - 2010-2029

10 Full Moons with greatest geocentric brightness Posted time of maximum brightness