Home > Concepts, Ephemeris Program, Observing, Phases, The Moon > 06/26/2023 – Ephemeris – After the latest sunset, a look at the Moon

06/26/2023 – Ephemeris – After the latest sunset, a look at the Moon

June 26, 2023

This is Ephemeris for Monday, June 26th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:32, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:59. The Moon, at first quarter today, will set at 2:02 tomorrow morning.

Tonight is the night of the latest sunset. From now to December 10th the Sun will be setting earlier than the night before. It won’t be noticeable at first, but the change will increase throughout the summer. The Moon actually arrived at first quarter phase early this morning, so by tonight it will appear slightly gibbous. The term gibbous actually means hump-backed, and the Moon will appear more so as it advances toward being fully illuminated a week from now. For me personally, I find that the best time to view the Moon with a telescope is within three or four days from its quarter phase, unless I’m looking at a specific feature. That’s when shadows are front and center on the moon. The Moon being gray on gray, shadows keep the Moon from appearing flat.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT –4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

The Moon, roughly 18 hours past first quarter tonight at 10:30 pm, June 26, 2023, with selected features labeled. I try, whenever possible, to center labels on the feature. Created using Stellarium, LibreOffice Draw and GIMP.
Categories: Concepts, Ephemeris Program, Observing, Phases, The Moon Tags: ,