June 14, 2024Friday
First Quarter MoonVIEW
The moon will complete the first quarter of its orbit around Earth, measuring from the previous new moon, on Friday, June 14 at 1:18 a.m. EDT and 05:18 UT, which converts to 10:18 p.m. PDT on Thursday night. The 90 degree angle formed by the Earth, sun, and moon at that time will cause us to see our natural satellite half-illuminated on its eastern side. At first quarter, the moon always rises around mid-day and sets around midnight, allowing it to be seen in the afternoon daytime sky, too. The evenings surrounding the first quarter phase are the best ones for viewing the lunar terrain when it is dramatically lit by low-angled sunlight.