What does this mean and why does it happen? We just had one, and the next will happen October 9. This is known as the "moon illusion", according to EarthSky.org. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. When you see a moon low in the sky it is because you are seeing it through a greater thickness of Earth's atmosphere. When the moon is near the horizon you are looking at in comparison to familiar reference … To review, the full Moon travels opposite from your current Sun—when the Sun rides high, the full Moon rides low. The first quarter acts like the sun will behave three months in the future. The last quarter Moon performs the way the sun did three months in the past. Finally there’s the last quarter Moon, which is the other half Moon. This September and October, the “opposite” of the Sun’s current equinoctial position is the other equinox, the one in March, which is identical. The coming first quarter Moon will “ride super low” as it crosses 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. , Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Pound Ridge, NY, Sound Clip of Rik and Lynn – WNYC – May 10, 2002. And those conditions apply for a few days before and after each lunar phase. Ranger silhouette at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, in 2019. In early summer when the sun rides very high, that’s when the Full Moon rides at its lowest. Custom programming and server maintenance by, See my September Sky Watch for more info about this month’s night sky. Speaking of “riding high,” your letters show you care about the Moon’s position in the sky. Other phases? Each month, the Full Moon travels oppositely from the Sun during that month. BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! If you missed it, no problem. The first quarter Moon always behaves the way the Sun will, three months in the future. This is known as the "moon illusion", according to EarthSky.org. Want to predict it for yourself? You may already know that in summer the Sun “rides high” but takes a low-down path across the sky every winter. To review, the full Moon travels opposite from your current Sun—when the Sun rides high, the full Moon rides low. Memorize all that and the Moon’s path across the sky will never be a surprise. At its highest, the Moon is seen to rise well north of east and set a similar distance north of west. Learn about the “Moon Illusion.”. 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. Memorize all that and the Moon’s path across the sky will never be a surprise. The opposite occurs when the Moon is low — it rises and sets well south of the … There’ll be a repeat performance on October 13 and 14. Different story. 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. Thus it rides super high. From the beautiful stars and planets to magical auroras and eclipses, he covers everything under the Sun (and Moon)! On these days the Moon stays above the horizon for a long time, well over half a day. Plus, for all you Moon lovers, let’s answer why the Moon rides high or runs low in the sky? The last quarter Moon performs the way the sun did three months in the past. Bob Berman, longtime and famous astronomer for The Old Farmer’s Almanac, will help bring alive the wonders of our universe. Mark the following on your calendar: See my September Sky Watch for more info about this month’s night sky. The Moon meets all four of the most brilliant and easily-seen planets this week and next. But just to make things unnecessarily easy, the Moon is about to highlight each one by hovering alongside it. Bob, the world’s mostly widely read astronomer, also has a new weekly podcast, Astounding Universe! Well, if you know the current lunar phase, you can think of the Moon doing what the Sun does, in the following way: Thus, September and October full Moons are unique in that they parade across the sky the same way as the Sun during those months. It always behaves like the Sun did three months in the past. A quick two-step process lets you know whether tonight’s Moon will “ride high” or “ride low” across the sky. Unlike this past spring, all four of the most brilliant and easily-seen planets are well placed. We are now enjoying a jewel box of nightly gemstones. That’s the lowest Sun of the year. See Bob’s post for viewing tips. History of the Transit of Venus – prelude to the June 5th, 2012 Transit of Venus. Find out from Almanac astronomer Bob Berman. Welcome to “This Week’s Amazing Sky,” the Almanac’s hub for everything stargazing and astronomy. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Why does the Moon look so big? Also remember that low Moons are often more yellow or orange, and tend to look much larger, so there’s that, too. This is the only time when this happens. Just before dawn on September 14, the crescent Moon will hover right next to dazzling Venus, the Morning Star. Meaning, in early July. The first quarter acts like the sun will behave three months in the future. Also all night long, the gibbous Moon will, The nearly Full Moon will sit extremely close to brilliant.