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[Centaur]

Who will be the first to spot the June New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 JUN 03 at 19:23 UT (14:23 CDT). The first opportunity for Chicagolanders to sight it will occur during the evening of June 4 while aged about 30.5 hours.

I’ve created a graphic previewing the western sky as viewed from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset on June 4, although it should well serve most North Americans. It can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos or descriptions of the June 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 JUL 15 of the Moon aged 38:05 hrs.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Yesterday morning, Monday, I was out and about at 4:30 am..and caught the last of the crescent Moon hanging in the eastern horizon just ahead of the dawn.

I did not have my camera, but it was the thinnest of sliver and very much a reddish hue. Would have made a nice pic.

Let's see if we catch it on the opposite side.

Thanks for the monthly moon challenges Curt.

[Centaur]

You're welcome, Joe. I hope you remembered your camera tonight. If not, the next couple of evenings The Old Moon in the New Moon's Arms should make even prettier pictures.

Summertime scud clouds were sweeping across the western sky this evening as seen from Arlington Heights, Illinois. Momentarily the veil got thin enough for me to get the shot seen below. It was taken on 2008 JUN 04 at 21:02 CDT when the Moon was aged 30:39 hrs. That was 38 minutes after sunset and 60 minutes before moonset.

[Centaur]

Let’s hope the weather gods become more accommodating to everyone over the next couple of days. This is the final springtime (pre-summer solstice) window this year for ideal viewing of the waxing crescent Moon.

We may be able to see The Old Moon in the New Moon’s Arms during the next couple of evenings (great photo ops!) Tomorrow evening (June 6) the Moon will be aged three days when it is traditionally called Diana’s Bow (as in the piece of archery equipment). That’s a time when many consider the Moon’s shape to be the most esthetically pleasing. Diana was the ancient Roman goddess of hunting and the Moon; the crescent was thought to represent the bow for her arrow.