Who will be the first to spot the Late October New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2008 OCT 28 at 23:14 UT (18:14 CDT). The first opportunity for North Americans will come on October 30. Venus will serve as a guide. Here in the months surrounding the autumnal equinox, young Moon spotting can be difficult for northern hemisphere observers as the twilight ecliptic is tilted toward an unfavorable position.
I’ve created a graphic previewing the western sky as viewed from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset on October 30, although it should well serve most North Americans. The Moon will be visible about 15° to the lower right of Venus. The graphic can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos or descriptions of the Late October New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!
Below is a photo I took 30 minutes after sunset on 2007 SEP 13 of the Moon aged 2.5 days, circumstances similar to what we might expect this year on October 30.
I’ve created a graphic previewing the western sky as viewed from Chicagoland 25 minutes after sunset on October 30, although it should well serve most North Americans. The Moon will be visible about 15° to the lower right of Venus. The graphic can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html
Photos or descriptions of the Late October New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!
Below is a photo I took 30 minutes after sunset on 2007 SEP 13 of the Moon aged 2.5 days, circumstances similar to what we might expect this year on October 30.
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
CurtRenz.com/astronomical
Curt Renz
