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[Centaur]

Who will be the first to spot the July New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 JUL 03 at 02:19 UT (JUL 02 at 21:19 CDT). North Americans will have a fine opportunity to sight a Moon aged about 24 hours. Venus might serve as an aid. In the coming months early New Moon spotting will become more difficult as the twilight ecliptic tilts toward a less favorable position.

I’ve created a graphic previewing the west-northwestern sky as viewed from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset on July 3, although it should well serve most North Americans. The Moon will be visible about 6° to the upper left of Venus. The graphic can be seen by clicking: www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos or descriptions of the July 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.

[Centaur]

I captured the 1.3% illuminated crescent Moon aged 23:49 hrs on 2008 JUL 03 at 21:08 CDT. That was 37 minutes after sunset and 18 minutes before moonset at Arlington Heights, Illinois. Below is the photo with the Moon toward the right and just above the clouds.

[Centaur]

Here’s a shot I took this evening of the 2-day-old Moon amid 4th of July fireworks from Arlington Heights, Illinois on 2008 JUL 04 at 21:21 CDT.

[katodog]

Here's my feeble shots from the 4th. I tried to find the Moon on the 3rd, but I couldn't see it. By the time I could have seen it, it was below my lowest horizon. I need to find a higher spot to view from.










The first two were with a 75-300mm lens, and the last with a 500mm lens and 2x tele-extender.

And yes, I know my sensor is dirty. Seems like all I do is spend my time cleaning it.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

What cool shot there.

Excellent.

[Centaur]

Jul 20, 2008 22:42:49 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

Curt,

What cool shot there.

Excellent.

Thanks, Joe. AccuWeather and Astronomy.com both made it the picture of the day. That made up for all of the people on top of an Arlington Heights parking garage to watch nearby fireworks wondering about the nut aiming his camera at the Moon and more distant fireworks in Rolling Meadows.