Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period, the moon progresses from its new phase to almost half-illuminated. It won’t cause any problems once it enters the evening sky as it will set long before the more active morning hours arrive.

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Friday May 22nd . This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours and will only present a slight annoyance the remainder of the morning. One can easily obtain useful observations by keeping the moon out of your field of view.

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday May 14th. At that time, the moon lies 90 degrees west the sun and will rise near 03:00 local summer time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the evening hours and will challenge the meteor observer by obscuring all but the brighter meteors.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday May 7th. At this time the moon lies opposite the sun and will remain above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours and will provide a small window of opportunity to view under dark skies between moonset and dawn.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday April 30th. At this time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 3:00 local summer time (LST) on May 1st. This weekend the waxing...