First Quarter

Also called: half Moon (waxing)

Half the Moon's face is lit, the right half, about a week after new Moon. It stands high in the south at sunset and sets around midnight.

Computed diagram of the First Quarter Moon: the right half of the disc lit and the left half dark — Computed diagram of the phase as seen from the Northern Hemisphere.

Type: Moon Phases
Best season: Any time of year
Gear: Naked eye
When to look: About a week after new Moon, in the evening
Lit part: The right half
Rises and sets: Rises around noon and sets around midnight
Best for: Craters and mountains along the terminator in binoculars
Age: About 7 days after new Moon

What you will see

A half-lit Moon high in the evening sky.
Sharp shadows along the terminator, which bring out craters and mountains.
Dark sky later in the night after the Moon sets.

How to watch

Watch in the evening, when the Moon is high.
Use binoculars or a small telescope to see crater shadows.
Dark-sky observing is better after the Moon sets around midnight.

Field notes

The first quarter is the best phase for looking at lunar craters, because the low sunlight along the terminator creates long shadows.

Related guides

Dates and times repeat from year to year but shift slightly, and the Moon's phase and the planets' positions are different every year. Check a current source such as NASA, the American Meteor Society, or a stargazing app before you plan a night out, and check the weather forecast for clear skies.

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