The last quarter moon of Safar will be visible after midnight tonight, Wednesday, with half of its disk illuminated after completing approximately three-quarters of its monthly orbit around Earth.
According to SPA, Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, stated that this lunar phase is among the best times to observe the moon’s surface using small telescopes or binoculars. He noted that mountains and craters appear in sharp detail along the terminator, which is the boundary between the dark and illuminated portions of the lunar surface, because of the strong contrast between shadow and light.
Abu Zahra added that the conditions are ideal for astronomical photography. The moon will rise across the sky until dawn on Thursday and set around noon local time.
The observation of the last quarter phase illustrates the moon’s monthly motion and the progression of the lunar cycle as it wanes into the crescent phase. This process continues before reaching conjunction to mark the beginning of Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH.
When can the last quarter moon of Safar be observed and what will it look like? The last quarter moon of Safar will be visible after midnight tonight, Wednesday. At this stage of its monthly orbit around Earth, which it has completed approximately three-quarters of, half of the lunar disk will be illuminated.
Why is this specific lunar phase ideal for observation and photography? Majed Abu Zahra, President of the Jeddah Astronomy Society, stated that the strong contrast between light and shadow makes this phase ideal for astronomical photography. Using small telescopes or binoculars, observers can see craters and mountains in sharp detail along the terminator, the boundary between the dark and illuminated portions of the surface.
What is the expected movement of the moon from Wednesday night through Thursday? The moon will be visible after midnight on Wednesday and will continue rising across the sky until dawn on Thursday. It is expected to set around noon local time on Thursday.