The moon will reach its last quarter phase on Tuesday (Aug. 8) when it’s going to be half illuminated by the sun.
From Recent York City, the last quarter moon — also often called the third quarter moon — will probably be visible from 11:30 p.m. EDT (03:30 GMT) shortly after it rises, based on Within the Sky. The half-illuminated moon will probably be visible until shortly before it drops below the horizon at around 1:46 p.m. EDT (1756 GMT) on Wednesday, Aug. 9.
The last quarter moon occurs at the purpose within the 29.5 lunar cycle on the halfway point between the fully illuminated full moon and the completely dark latest moon. The last full moon, August’s Sturgeon Moon, occurred on Aug. 1, and the following latest moon will occur on Aug. 16. This will even mark the beginning of a brand new lunar cycle.
Following the Sturgeon Moon, the illuminated side of the moon has been receding, with this progression called “waning” by astronomers. Along with the illuminated lunar face shrinking, the moon has been going through other changes that will even culminate with the brand new moon. Specifically, it has been rising and setting an hour later every day, meaning it’s visible for a shorter time each night prior to the sun rising.
The complete moon generally rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, but by the brand new moon, this has been reversed so the moon rises around the identical time because the sun and sets with our star. In consequence, on the time of the brand new moon, it is generally absent from the night sky.
This progression is partially turned on its head following the brand new moon. The illuminated face of the moon grows or “waxes” while the moon continues to rise and set an hour later every day.
The last quarter moon phase is not the only time within the 29.5-day lunar phase during which the moon is half-illuminated. There’s an analog to the last quarter moon that falls exactly between the brand new moon and full moon called, possibly predictably, the primary quarter moon. Through the first quarter moon, the other side of the lunar face is illuminated in comparison with the last quarter moon. Which side of the moon an observer sees illuminated depends upon which hemisphere of the Earth they’re positioned, nevertheless.
In the event you are hoping to catch a take a look at the moon during its last quarter phase, our guides to the best telescopes and binoculars are a fantastic place to start out.
In the event you’re trying to snap photos of the moon or simply the night sky typically, try our guide on the best way to photograph the moon, in addition to our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.