Title: Last Quarter Moon Provides Skywatchers with Opportunities to Explore Taurus Constellation
Subtitle: The moon will be in its half-illuminated phase tonight, offering a chance to observe celestial objects in the Taurus constellation.
Date: September 7, 2023
The moon will be in its last quarter phase tonight, presenting skywatchers with the opportunity to marvel at the celestial wonders of the Taurus constellation. Appearing in its half-illuminated state, the lunar face will be bathed in the gentle glow of the sun.
Residents of New York City can catch a glimpse of the last quarter moon shortly after it rises at approximately 11 p.m. EDT (0300 GMT on Sept. 7). The moon will remain visible throughout the night and the following morning until it disappears below the horizon at around 2:26 p.m. EDT (1826 GMT) on Thursday, September 7, according to In the Sky.
The last quarter phase marks the midpoint between the fully illuminated full moon and the completely dark new moon in the 29.5-day lunar cycle. As the illuminated portion of the lunar face recedes, a phase known as “waning,” the moon will reach its completion on September 14 with the arrival of the new moon, signifying the start of a new lunar cycle.
During the period between the full moon and the new moon, the moon’s rise and set times will be delayed by approximately one hour each day. This means that while the full moon rises and sets with the sun, the new moon will rise and set in unison, rendering it mostly absent from the night sky.
As the new moon wanes, the moon will continue to rise and set approximately one hour later each day, and the illuminated side of the lunar face will progressively grow in size, a process known as “waxing.” This will eventually lead to the next full moon, known as the Harvest Moon, on Friday, September 29.
Before the moon reaches its Harvest Moon phase, it will once again transition through a half-lit phase referred to as the first quarter moon. This phase, which mirrors the last quarter moon, will see the opposite side of the lunar face illuminated, with the moon rising and setting around midday instead of midnight.
For those keen on observing the Taurus constellation alongside the moon, several notable celestial objects can be observed during the last quarter phase. These include the “Bull’s eye,” the star Aldebaran (or Alpha Tauri), a red giant star located approximately 65 light-years away from Earth. Aldebaran is so named because it follows the Pleiades, a famous star cluster also known as the Seven Sisters, over the horizon.
The Pleiades, an open cluster containing thousands of hot blue stars, will rise at around 10:08 p.m. EDT (0208 GMT) on Wednesday and will set the next day, providing an additional sight to behold.
Skywatchers interested in viewing the moon and the stars of the Taurus constellation can enhance their experience by using binoculars or telescopes. Several guides on the best binoculars, telescopes, and budget telescopes are available for those seeking a closer look.
Additionally, for photographers capturing the moon or the night sky, comprehensive guides on photographing the moon, as well as recommendations for the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, are readily available.
Space.com also extends an invitation to readers to share their images of the last quarter moon. Those who wish to contribute their photos can send them, along with their comments, name, and location, to [email protected].
As the last quarter moon graces the night sky, let us seize this moment to appreciate the celestial beauty that surrounds us and consider the vast wonders of our universe.