Starts inCalculating countdown…
Lunar phase
First Quarter Moon
The evening Moon is half illuminated, with long shadows along the day-night boundary revealing craters and mountains.
DateThursday, August 20, 2026
Local time05:46
VisibilityGood
LocationWorldwide event
What to know
Best in the eveningHalf illuminatedExcellent lunar detailNaked eye or telescope
How this was calculated
Astronomical calculation
- Source
- Astronomy Engine
- Method
- Apparent positions calculated from VSOP87 and NOVAS-based models.
- Accuracy and limits
- Times are suitable for observing plans; local horizons, terrain, and atmospheric refraction can shift first or last visibility.
What you will actually see
A quarter Moon is half illuminated. Low-angle sunlight creates strong shadows that make craters, mountains, and valleys especially easy to see.
Where to lookLook for the Moon from afternoon through the first half of the night.
What to bringNaked eye or binoculars; even a small telescope reveals rich detail along the terminator.
Prepare for the event
- Observe when the Moon is comfortably above nearby roofs or trees.
- Let a telescope cool outdoors before using higher magnification.
- Start at low power so the whole lunar disc fits in view.
How to observe it
- Find the terminator, the boundary between lunar day and night.
- Follow its long shadows from north to south.
- Increase magnification gradually when the air appears steady.