Post by Centaur on Aug 26, 2011 11:05:09 GMT -6
Who will be the first to spot the late August New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2011 AUG 29 at 03:04 UT (28 at 22:04 CDT). We have moved into the months of the year surrounding the autumnal equinox in which the early spotting of a New Moon is difficult for northern hemisphere observers. The young Moon’s southern ecliptical latitude at this point in the 18.6-year nodal cycle will also be unhelpful. So there’s more of a challenge for you to accept.
I’ve created three graphics previewing the western sky as viewed after sunset from Chicagoland on August 30, 31 & September 1. They should well serve most North American observers. Saturn and Spica may be helpful signposts. The previews can be seen by clicking: www.CurtRenz.com/moon
Also on my Moon webpage is a panorama including each Diana’s Bow in 2011. That’s a waxing crescent Moon about 10% illuminated and aged about three days. The name is a reference to the archery equipment of the ancient Roman goddess of the Moon and hunting. The graphic nicely illustrates how the season of the year affects the viewing of a waxing crescent Moon.
Photos and descriptions of the late August 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 from Arlington Heights, Illinois of the Moon aged 2.5 days on 2007 SEP 13 at 19:36 CDT.
I’ve created three graphics previewing the western sky as viewed after sunset from Chicagoland on August 30, 31 & September 1. They should well serve most North American observers. Saturn and Spica may be helpful signposts. The previews can be seen by clicking: www.CurtRenz.com/moon
Also on my Moon webpage is a panorama including each Diana’s Bow in 2011. That’s a waxing crescent Moon about 10% illuminated and aged about three days. The name is a reference to the archery equipment of the ancient Roman goddess of the Moon and hunting. The graphic nicely illustrates how the season of the year affects the viewing of a waxing crescent Moon.
Photos and descriptions of the late August 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 from Arlington Heights, Illinois of the Moon aged 2.5 days on 2007 SEP 13 at 19:36 CDT.
