On Wednesday night, the moon will seem partially lighted in the evening sky as it moves toward the new moon on November 23.
The moon will look half-illuminated in the evening sky on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, as it enters its last quarter, also known as the third quarter phase. The last quarter moon will rise in the middle of the night and become visible in the morning sky.
According to In the Sky, the last quarter moon will become visible from New York City at approximately 23:44 EST (05:44 GMT on Nov. 17) at an altitude of about 7 degrees above the eastern horizon.
At approximately 06:05 EST (1105 GMT), the half-lit moon will be 67 degrees over the southern horizon, when it will be at its highest position in the sky. The final quarter moon will be lost in the dawn darkness shortly after this at 06:23 EST (1123 GMT) while it is still in the same location.
It may at first seem perplexing that the moon appears to be partially lighted by the sun during the last quarter phase, but the term “quarter” refers to the fact that this phase denotes that the moon has completed 34 of its 29.5-day cycle.
The last quarter occurs precisely halfway between the entirely dark new moon phase and the fully lighted full moon phase. Nov. 8 saw November’s Beaver Moon, the most recent full moon, and Nov. 23 will bring the first new moon of the new lunar cycle.
The moon rises later and later each day during the time between the full moon and the new moon, resulting in decreased durations of visibility each night. The moon’s illuminated side is moving away from its face as this happens, being lit by the sun less and less.
After the new moon, the situation is turned around. The moon rises higher and earlier over the following period, being visible for longer and longer as its lit face moves toward the next full moon.
The first quarter refers to the halfway point between the new moon and the full moon when once more the moon’s face is only partially lit. Where on the globe an observer from Earth is positioned determines which side of the moon they see lighted during both the first quarter and third quarter phases.
The next full moon, Wednesday, December 7, is when the moon is once more fully lighted and is visible all through the night. The name “Cold Moon” seems suitable for this full moon.
Our how-to-shoot the moon guide is full of professional advice on techniques, times, and instruments to help you start producing the most amazing lunar images you can if you’re wanting to capture the moon in the finest possible light. No of your level of experience, our best astrophotography cameras, and lenses can help you capture the best moon photographs possible.
Would you like to explore our rocky companion more thoroughly in the moonlight? Our comprehensive reference to lunar observation can assist you in organizing your upcoming skywatching trip, whether it involves traveling through the moon’s oceans, mountains, or numerous craters.
