The moon in September 2012

On 22 September, the moon is half-lit and is particularly low in the sky: it is the southernmost of the decreasing half-moon of the year. New Moon is on the 16th September. The observation of the first crescent of the new moon and last time in the bright twilight is sometimes a challenge, especially in this month: Both events are theoretically to see only part of the German-speaking world and then only with the aid of optical means.

The two planets Saturn and Mars are not easy to see in the evening sky. On 18 and 19 September, the crescent moon can be helpful - in the second event is the moon actually only four diameter of Mars away.

Observation

With binoculars or telescope lunar craters, mountains and valleys in the light of the moon shadow border appear particularly vividly, because the sun's rays fall flat on the Moon relief and cast long shadows. The best time for the lunar observation is the crescent moon between new and full moon in the evening or the waning moon in the second half of the night. Full Moon is unfavorable for the lunar observation, since then the sun's rays fall nearly perpendicular to the moon's surface and do not cast shadows. As a guide you can use our interactive map of the moon use, which includes more than 800 craters and lunar seas.

Lunar observations

For lunar observations, the time interval from 1 to 5th September and from 18 September (without the full moon nights to September 30) particularly suitable because then the shadow boundary of the Earth from the evening can be well observed.

On the early morning of 26 September is 2-3 clock seen on the waxing moon in the field of the so-called Sinus Iridium "Golden Henkel". In this project, the mountain peaks of the ring into the moon and form a prominent feature on the Terminator. For observation in daylight at least a pair of binoculars is necessary.

Of 10 to 14 September (morning) illuminates the reflected earthshine away from the sun, the moon's surface enough so that the full moon can be seen with the naked eye well, and not just the bright crescent moon. In the second half of the month, from 20 and 21 September, the earthshine is visible again, then in the evenings.

Morning visibility

On the morning of 14 September, and can be observed very slim crescent moon in 45.3 hours before dawn. She's only just lit yet to 4.8%. It appears this Friday at 5 clocks in Ostnordosten.

Only for Greater Vienna: In perfect conditions and with binoculars or even better equipped with a telescope the very slender crescent Moon may perhaps also the following morning (September 15) will be 21 hours before new moon sighted deep in the bright dawn.

The best chance of success you have in Vienna about 20 minutes before sunrise. At sunrise on the moon holds about 6.7 ° and 9.5 ° of the sun west of this point of sunrise away, the moon rises 48 minutes before the sun. Please tell us about your successful sighting of the crescent moon last.

Night visibility

The slender crescent Moon on 17 may September will be seen in the bright twilight. You would then only 39.4 hours old and illuminated only to 3.7%. Moonset would clock in at 19 ¾ West southwest. Subjunctive because just west of Graz in Austria and Switzerland in general telescopically a likelihood to catch the moon, because the moon sets 18 minutes after the sun.

On 18 September the then still small, only 63.6 hours old crescent moon shows deep problems in the bright twilight. It is illuminated only about 9.4%. The sickle is about 20 ¼ clock set in the western south, so not a whole hour after the sun.