Moon Watch: First Quarter January 2017

Today the moon reaches its first quarter phase at 12:47 MST.  The first quarter actually shows a moon that is half illuminated.  The reason for the nomenclature is the moon is a quarter of the way through its lunar cycle from New Moon - First Quarter - Full Moon - Last Quarter - New Moon. An excellent page describing the phases of the moon is provided in the link below:

http://www.moonconnection.com/moon_phases.phtml

The moon is always a favourite target for amateur astronomers at all levels.  It is very easy to find in a telescope and with tens of thousands of named features seen from the Earth it can provided many hours, weeks, or years of study.

Moon at First Quarter

The 2017 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Phase and Libration video has been released by NASA and a link is provided below.  This video will show the illumination of the moon throughout 2017 and the craters that will be readily apparent in any small optical instrument.  Please take the time to watch this video in HD on a big screen.  The LRO has been in orbit of the moon since 2009 and has provided amazing imagery and data on our closest celestial neighbour.

Moon Phase and Libration Northern Hemisphere 2017

If anyone is interested in serious lunar observing, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has a program for just that purpose.  I am currently working on it and will update my progress during Moon Watch postings throughout the year.  A link to this observing program is provided below:

RASC Lunar Observing Program

Anyone is welcome to join RASC and take advantage of the many free programs they offer for both adults and youth.  We have been members for nearly a year and it has been absolutely amazing spending time observing at the centre's observatory in DeWinton.  For more information about joining and the great benefits please see the link below:

http://www.rasc.ca/join-us

If the sky clears up this evening I hope you have the opportunity to look South and see the majesty of the moon that has graced the skies for more than 4.5 billion years.

As a side note, Uranus will be 3° North of the Moon this evening.  Try out binoculars, you should be able to see the Moon and Uranus in the same view.  Just don't confuse Uranus with Zeta Piscium which is a mere 36' West of the planet.  The sky chart is provided below.

Moon and Uranus within same Binocular Field 20:30 January 5, 2017

I wish you clear skies and good luck with your observing!