This week offers a tour through lunar phases and planetary plays. The moon reaches its first quarter on Monday, creating ideal conditions to observe lunar craters dramatically lit by angled sunlight. On Tuesday, try spotting the trio of craters — Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, and Arzachel — with binoculars or a small telescope. Thursday brings a lovely pairing of the moon and Spica, the brightest star in Virgo. Then, after sunset on Saturday, Mercury climbs past Jupiter in the western sky — a fleeting but beautiful planetary encounter to catch while it lasts.
The moon reaches its first quarter phase at 11:41 p.m. EDT (0341 GMT on June 3). Half-illuminated on its eastern side, the moon will rise around midday and set around midnight. It's the perfect time to view craters and mountains along the lunar terminator, dramatically lit by low-angled sunlight.
On Tuesday night, look near the moon's center for a trio of large craters: Ptolemaeus, Alphonsus, and Arzachel. All three are visible in binoculars or a telescope and offer a glimpse into lunar history, from lava-filled floors to terraced rims and volcanic ash deposits.
As darkness falls, find Spica, Virgo's brightest star, shining just below the waxing gibbous moon in the southern sky. Over the evening, the moon will drift closer to the star. Observers in parts of the southern Indian Ocean and Antarctica may even see the moon occult Spica.
Look low on the western horizon just after sunset to see Mercury and Jupiter close together. On Saturday evening, Mercury will appear just a thumb's width to Jupiter's right. Use binoculars or a telescope to catch this compact celestial duo — but only after the sun has fully set.
The best moon phase to look out for this week is the first quarter moon on Monday, June 2. At this phase, the moon appears half-illuminated and rises around midday, making it visible in both the afternoon and evening skies. It is also the perfect time to look at the moon’s rugged surface through binoculars or a telescope, especially along the terminator line, where low-angled sunlight casts dramatic shadows across craters and mountain ranges.
Feeling inspired to take a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.
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