(Viewed 2,164 times)

[Centaur]

Who will be the first to spot the March New Moon with naked eyes after sunset?

The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 MAR 07 at 17:14 UT. We’re in the months of the year surrounding the vernal equinox during which New Moon spotting is ideal for northern hemisphere observers. The current point in the Moon’s 18.6-year nodal cycle is also helpful. And being near perigee helps the Moon to separate from the Sun more quickly. However, this month the timing of the conjunction will make it virtually impossible for North Americans to spot the Moon aged less than 24 hours. But the New Moon in the Old Moon’s Arms should be a pretty sight on Saturday evening.

I’ve created a graphic previewing the western sky as viewed from Chicagoland 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday March 8, although it should well serve most North Americans. There will be no other planets or bright stars to serve as guides. Therefore the azimuth and altitude markings on the diagram will be particularly helpful. The graphic can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos or descriptions of the March New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!

Below is a photo I took on 2007 MAY 17 of the Moon aged 30:42 hours, which is similar to the age it will be for North Americans during the evening of 2008 MAR 08. Mercury also appears in the picture.

[katodog]

Well, Centaur, you may post a pic before I do, But I'm shooting the moon right now through the bedroom window. Geez, it's incredible sitting in the warm house taking pics. Not like standing out in the freezing cold!!

As soon as I get sick of taking pics, which may be until I can't see the Moon anymore, I'll post a few shots.

[katodog]

Looks like maybe I'll beat out Curt this time around. A few shots through the window tonight. I was getting some double vision from the window, so a lot of shots didn't come out so hot. These are about the best I got tonight. Maybe next time I will have to brave the cold.












So, I'm not as good as Curt, yet. I still need a little practice catching the New Moon.

[katodog]

Duh. I forgot the most important part. I better give details, or Joe will beat me mercilessly.

Canon 10D, various exposures, 75-300 Canon lens, various zoom settings, tripod mounted, remote shutter used, black jeans, striped shirt, bedroom window, clouds suck, I love the remote shutter, etc., etc., etc..

[Centaur]

Thanks for sharing your pictures of the March New Moon, Ed. The clouds were too thick from my location. Perhaps it will be warm enough for us to go outdoors for the April New Moon.

The Dark Moon will next conjunct the Sun on 2008 APR 06 at 03:56 UT (APR 05 at 22:56 CDT). That will present an opportunity for North Americans to spot a New Moon aged less than 24 hours. I might see it at less than 21 hours, which would break my personal record of 21:45.

The celestial geometry in April will be so ideal that the Moon’s crescent will appear to be hanging straight down in a U-shape like the Cheshire Cat’s smile for those of us near the latitude of Chicago. For those further south in the U.S. it will appear tilted the “wrong” way. Don’t be surprised if we hear from folks asking about the strange orientation of the Moon. A preview graphic is already on my website at: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

[katodog]

The clouds here were pretty goofy. It took a while for me to see the Moon, since the clouds were seemingly right on top of it with clearings all around. I kept watching the sky to see where the Moon was, and there was one cloud that seemed to stay exactly in the same spot. Once it moved away, I could see the Moon. After I saw it began the mad dash for the camera and tripod.

Curt, how do you calculate the time that you see the new Moon? What's the starting point? For example, if the pics I shot were around 6:30p.m., how do I figure out how old the New Moon was when I saw it?

Does that question make any sense?

[Centaur]

katodog said:

Curt, how do you calculate the time that you see the new Moon? What's the starting point? For example, if the pics I shot were around 6:30p.m., how do I figure out how old the New Moon was when I saw it?

Ed, as stated in my initial post in this thread, “The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 MAR 07 at 17:14 UT.” That was 11:14 CST. Simply determine the amount of time between the conjunction and your sighting. At 18:30 CST on Saturday the Moon would have been 31:16 hours old. My later post in this thread gives the conjunction time for April.

[katodog]

I should have paid more attention to your posts. Thanks for the info.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Kdog,

I like that shot with the crescent and your neighbors lit window.

Almost a painting-like scenario.

Thanks for posting the remote for your camera.

Quite cool.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I spotted the crescent moon Monday evening, but fighting clouds and visible thru the "sucker holes". No camera with me, but it was pretty.

If clear Tuesday, I may do some lunar shots...been a long time since the early winter.