Tonight, observers will see the Moon in its Third Quarter phase – precisely halfway between a Full Moon and a New Moon. This means exactly half of the lunar disk will be illuminated, with the lit portion visible on the left side when viewed from the Northern Hemisphere. The Third Quarter is a good time for observation, as features on the Moon’s surface are clearly visible.
What You Can See Tonight
Without equipment, you can distinguish major features like the Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains), the prominent Copernicus Crater, and the highlands of the Aristarchus Plateau.
For a closer look:
– Binoculars will reveal craters like Clavius and Archimedes, as well as the dark, flat Grimaldi Basin.
– Telescopes will allow you to pinpoint even smaller details, including the historic Apollo 14 landing site, the deep Schiller Crater, and the winding Rima Ariadaeus channel.
The Next Full Moon
The next Full Moon is scheduled for March 3rd, marking the completion of the lunar cycle.
Understanding Moon Phases
The Moon orbits Earth approximately every 29.5 days, completing a full lunar cycle. This cycle consists of eight distinct phases, determined by how much of the Moon’s sunlit side is facing Earth. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of illumination changes continuously as it travels along its orbit. Here’s a breakdown of each phase:
- New Moon: The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, making its visible side dark.
- Waxing Crescent: A thin sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
- First Quarter: Half of the Moon is lit on the right side.
- Waxing Gibbous: More than half of the Moon is lit but not yet full.
- Full Moon: The entire face of the Moon is illuminated.
- Waning Gibbous: Light begins to fade on the right side.
- Third Quarter (Last Quarter): Half of the Moon is lit on the left side.
- Waning Crescent: A thin sliver of light remains on the left before becoming dark again.
The lunar cycle isn’t just a beautiful celestial event; it influences tidal patterns, affects some animal behavior, and has been woven into human culture for millennia. Understanding these phases is key to appreciating the dynamics of our solar system.
