Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog

Ephemeris for Tuesday, June 18th.  Today the sun will be up for 15 hours and 33 minutes, setting at 9:30.   The moon, 2 days past first quarter, will set at 2:48 tomorrow morning.  Tomorrow the sun will rise at 5:56.

On the moon tonight the gibbous phase and the terminator on the left side of the moon is revealing a large semi circular mountain range called the Jura Mountains that encloses a flat lava plain that looks like a bay in the margin of the Sea of Showers or Mare Imbrium.  The bay is Sinus Iridium, or Bay of Rainbows.  It is easily visible in binoculars this evening when the sunrise line is crossing the bay.  The Jura Mountains will appear as a hook at the upper left edge of the moon.  That’s about the coolest sight that’s visible on the moon that can be seen with binoculars.  It’s especially striking if seen in a small telescope.  Though the bay is the same gray as the rest of the moon, at least its name is colorful.

Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan.  They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Bay of Rainbows (Sinus Iridium) within the Jura Mountains on the moon. Created using Virtual Moon Atlas.