• Stargazing News - December 22nd, 2024

    From CJ@954:100/61 to All on Saturday, December 21, 2024 06:45:26
    Sunday December 22, 2024

    Third Quarter Moon

    The moon will complete three quarters of its orbit around Earth, measured from the previous new moon, on Sunday, December 22 at 5:18 p.m. EST, 2:18 p.m. PST, or 22:18 UT. At its third (or last) quarter phase the moon is half- illuminated, on its western, sunward side. It will rise around midnight local time, and then remain visible until it sets in the western daytime sky during early afternoon. Third quarter moons are positioned ahead of the Earth in our trip around the Sun. About 31/2 hours later, Earth will occupy that same location in space. The week of dark, moonless evenings that follow this phase are ideal for observing fainter deep sky targets.

    (Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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    * Origin: CJ's Place, Orange City FL > cjsplace.thruhere.net (954:100/61)