Thursday, March 6, 2025

First Quarter Moon meets Elnath

The moon will complete the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, measuring from the previous new moon, on Thursday, March 6 at 11:32 a.m. EST or 8:32
a.m. PST or 16:32 UT. At first quarter, the 90 degree angle formed by the Earth, sun, and moon will cause us to see our natural satellite as a half-moon with its eastern hemisphere illuminated. At this part of the lunar cycle, the moon always rises around noon and sets around midnight, allowing it to be seen in the afternoon daytime sky, too. The evenings surrounding first quarter are the best ones for viewing the lunar terrain when it is dramatically lit by low-angled sunlight. After dusk on Thursday evening, the bright star Elnath, which marks the northern horn-tip of Taurus, the Bull, will shine just to the moon's upper left.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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