But just to make things unnecessarily easy, the Moon is about to highlight each one by hovering alongside it. See Bob’s post for viewing tips. Each month, the Full Moon travels oppositely from the Sun during that month. If you missed it, no problem. Also remember that low Moons are often more yellow or orange, and tend to look much larger, so there’s that, too. The last quarter Moon performs the way the sun did three months in the past. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Bob, the world’s mostly widely read astronomer, also has a new weekly podcast, Astounding Universe! An Asymmetrical Mount For a 17.5" Newtonian, Mars Attacks: First Anniversary of the Great Approach, Observing Resources for Amateur Astronomers – Part 1: Beginning Observers, Observing Resources for Amateur Astronomers – Part 2: Intermediate Observers, Observing Resources for Amateur Astronomers – Part 3: Advanced Observers, Observing Resources for Amateur Astronomers – Part 4: Magazines and Miscellany, Comet Hyakutake: The Great "Earthgrazing" Comet of 1996, A History of the First Forty Years of the Amateur Astronomers Association, NYC Urban Starfest – Background & History of the Event, Pulkovo Observatory, St. Petersburgh, Russia, Amateur Astronomers Association of New York. This is the only time when this happens. Learn about the “Moon Illusion.”. We just had one, and the next will happen October 9. That’s the lowest Sun of the year. Different story. History of the Transit of Venus – prelude to the June 5th, 2012 Transit of Venus. Bob Berman, longtime and famous astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, will help bring alive the wonders of our universe. Speaking of “riding high,” your letters show you care about the Moon’s position in the sky. When you see a moon low in the sky it is because you are seeing it through a greater thickness of Earth's atmosphere. It always behaves like the Sun did three months in the past. On these days the Moon stays above the horizon for a long time, well over half a day. You may already know that in summer the Sun “rides high” but takes a low-down path across the sky every winter. When you see a moon low in the sky it is because you are seeing it through a greater thickness of Earth's atmosphere. Memorize all that and the Moon’s path across the sky will never be a surprise. Other phases? The coming first quarter Moon will “ride super low” as it crosses the sky. Custom programming and server maintenance by, See my September Sky Watch for more info about this month’s night sky. Also all night long, the gibbous Moon will, The nearly Full Moon will sit extremely close to brilliant. This is known as the "moon illusion", according to EarthSky.org. Thus it rides super high. And those conditions apply for a few days before and after each lunar phase. At its highest, the Moon is seen to rise well north of east and set a similar distance north of west. Welcome to “This Week’s Amazing Sky,” the Almanac’s hub for everything stargazing and astronomy. The first quarter acts like the sun will behave three months in the future. Unlike this past spring, all four of the most brilliant and easily-seen planets are well placed. , Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY, Sound Clip of Rik and Lynn – WNYC – May 10, 2002. The last quarter Moon performs the way the sun did three months in the past. BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! Meaning, in early July. The first quarter acts like the sun will behave three months in the future. So during the next first quarter (half Moon) on September 23, expect it to match the Sun’s behavior three months later, in late December. Just before dawn on September 14, the crescent Moon will hover right next to dazzling Venus, the Morning Star. Want to predict it for yourself? Plus, for all you Moon lovers, let’s answer why the Moon rides high or runs low in the sky? Finally there’s the last quarter Moon, which is the other half Moon. Mark the following on your calendar: See my September Sky Watch for more info about this month’s night sky. Memorize all that and the Moon’s path across the sky will never be a surprise.