Watch for a daytime moon
This month’s full moon came early on December 15, 2024. So the moon is now in a waning gibbous phase, rising later and later each successive night.
And that means the moon is setting later and later now. It’s setting after sunrise. That’s why the mornings after a full moon are a good time to catch a nearly full daytime moon after sunrise, over your western horizon. Watch for it!
The moon is up in the daytime half of the time. But, because it’s pale against the blue sky, it’s not as noticeable during the day as at night. Still, there are certain windows each month during which the daytime moon is most noticeable.
The coming week presents one of those windows. It’s a good time to watch for a daytime moon.
December 17-18 overnight: Moon passes in front of Mars
The waning gibbous moon will lie close to the red planet Mars on the evening of December 17, 2024. At 9 UTC on the morning of December 18, 2024, the moon will occult – or pass in front of – Mars, visible from parts of Canada, Greenland, eastern Russia and Alaska and other locations. Others will see Mars close to the moon. Also nearby will be the twin stars of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. They’ll rise several hours after sunset and be visible through dawn. Read Mars updates for 2024, here.
Our charts are mostly set for the northern half of Earth. To see a precise view – and time – from your location, try Stellarium Online.
December 19 and 20 mornings: Moon and Regulus
On the mornings of December 19 and 20, 2024, the waning gibbous moon will float near the star Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion. Regulus is the punctuation mark at the bottom of a pattern of stars called the Sickle. Look for them a few hours before dawn. Meet Regulus, Leo the Lion’s Heart.
Read more: What is the Sickle in Leo?
Our charts are mostly set for the northern half of Earth. To see a precise view – and time – from your location, try Stellarium Online.
Bottom line: You can easily spot the moon in the morning sky – after sunrise – for a few days after full moon. Look west after the sun comes up!
Donate: Your support means the world to us
Submit your photo to EarthSky here.
The post A daytime moon is up after sunrise first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/TPl9mpa
Watch for a daytime moon
This month’s full moon came early on December 15, 2024. So the moon is now in a waning gibbous phase, rising later and later each successive night.
And that means the moon is setting later and later now. It’s setting after sunrise. That’s why the mornings after a full moon are a good time to catch a nearly full daytime moon after sunrise, over your western horizon. Watch for it!
The moon is up in the daytime half of the time. But, because it’s pale against the blue sky, it’s not as noticeable during the day as at night. Still, there are certain windows each month during which the daytime moon is most noticeable.
The coming week presents one of those windows. It’s a good time to watch for a daytime moon.
December 17-18 overnight: Moon passes in front of Mars
The waning gibbous moon will lie close to the red planet Mars on the evening of December 17, 2024. At 9 UTC on the morning of December 18, 2024, the moon will occult – or pass in front of – Mars, visible from parts of Canada, Greenland, eastern Russia and Alaska and other locations. Others will see Mars close to the moon. Also nearby will be the twin stars of Gemini: Castor and Pollux. They’ll rise several hours after sunset and be visible through dawn. Read Mars updates for 2024, here.
Our charts are mostly set for the northern half of Earth. To see a precise view – and time – from your location, try Stellarium Online.
December 19 and 20 mornings: Moon and Regulus
On the mornings of December 19 and 20, 2024, the waning gibbous moon will float near the star Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion. Regulus is the punctuation mark at the bottom of a pattern of stars called the Sickle. Look for them a few hours before dawn. Meet Regulus, Leo the Lion’s Heart.
Read more: What is the Sickle in Leo?
Our charts are mostly set for the northern half of Earth. To see a precise view – and time – from your location, try Stellarium Online.
Bottom line: You can easily spot the moon in the morning sky – after sunrise – for a few days after full moon. Look west after the sun comes up!
Donate: Your support means the world to us
Submit your photo to EarthSky here.
The post A daytime moon is up after sunrise first appeared on EarthSky.
from EarthSky https://ift.tt/TPl9mpa
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