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First Quarter Moon Tonight at About 50% Illumination

Viewers can expect easy evening visibility according to NASA.

Overview

  • NASA's Daily Moon Observation lists Oct. 29 as First Quarter with roughly 49–50% of the lunar disk illuminated.
  • This phase falls midway between the new and full moons within the moon’s roughly 29.5-day cycle, NASA explains.
  • Evening observers can spot maria including Vaporum, Fecunditatis, and Serenitatis, with binoculars revealing Endymion, Posidonius, and the Apennine Mountains.
  • A small telescope can pick out the Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 landing areas as well as the Rima Ariadaeus feature.
  • Vice’s coverage reports the moon in Aquarius for astrological interpretation, and Mashable notes the next full moon is expected on Nov. 5.