You’ll see a waning crescent moon – sometimes called an old moon – in the east before dawn.
On each successive morning, a waning crescent moon will show us less and less of its lighted portion, or day side. Each day, it rises closer to the sunrise, heading for new moon, when the moon will be between the Earth and sun.
The illuminated side of a waning crescent moon always points eastward, or in the direction of sunrise.
What’s more, the lit side of waning crescent points in the direction of the moon’s daily motion relative to the backdrop stars and planets of the zodiac. That direction is also east.
Many people miss the waning crescent moon because it’s a morning moon, visible before sunrise. But it’s fun to follow the waning crescent day by day, as it inches into the dawn glare.
As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Follow the links below to understand the phases of the moon.
New moon
Waxing crescent moon
First quarter moon
Waxing gibbous moon
Full moon
Waning gibbous moon
Last quarter moon
Waning crescent moon
Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases
Bottom line: A waning crescent moon falls between the last quarter moon phase and the new moon phase. You’ll find a waning crescent moon in the east before sunrise.
Check out EarthSky’s guide to the bright planets.
Top 4 keys to understanding moon phases
Help EarthSky keep going! Please donate.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2DOsEBQ
You’ll see a waning crescent moon – sometimes called an old moon – in the east before dawn.
On each successive morning, a waning crescent moon will show us less and less of its lighted portion, or day side. Each day, it rises closer to the sunrise, heading for new moon, when the moon will be between the Earth and sun.
The illuminated side of a waning crescent moon always points eastward, or in the direction of sunrise.
What’s more, the lit side of waning crescent points in the direction of the moon’s daily motion relative to the backdrop stars and planets of the zodiac. That direction is also east.
Many people miss the waning crescent moon because it’s a morning moon, visible before sunrise. But it’s fun to follow the waning crescent day by day, as it inches into the dawn glare.
As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Follow the links below to understand the phases of the moon.
New moon
Waxing crescent moon
First quarter moon
Waxing gibbous moon
Full moon
Waning gibbous moon
Last quarter moon
Waning crescent moon
Read more: 4 keys to understanding moon phases
Bottom line: A waning crescent moon falls between the last quarter moon phase and the new moon phase. You’ll find a waning crescent moon in the east before sunrise.
Check out EarthSky’s guide to the bright planets.
Top 4 keys to understanding moon phases
Help EarthSky keep going! Please donate.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/2DOsEBQ
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