Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Crescent Moon nears Spica (wee hours to sunrise)

Early risers on Tuesday morning, January 21 can see the pretty, waning
crescent moon shining in the southeastern sky just below (or celestial east
of) Virgo's brightest star, Spica. If you view the pair at sunrise, or in westerly time zones, the moon will be farther from the star. Observers in a zone covering the South Atlantic Ocean, the Cape Verde Islands, and parts of western and southern Africa can watch the moon occult Spica in the wee hours
of Tuesday morning. The event can be observed with unaided eyes, binoculars, and any backyard telescope. The start and end times vary by location, so use
an app like Starry Night or Sky Safari to determine your own circumstances. Third Quarter Moon

The moon will complete three quarters of its orbit around Earth, measured from the previous new moon, on Tuesday, January 21 at 3:31 p.m. EST or 12:31 p.m. PST, or 20:31 UT. At the third (or last) quarter phase the moon appears half- illuminated, on its western, sunward side. It will rise around midnight local time, and then remain visible until it sets in the western daytime sky in
early afternoon. Third quarter moons are positioned ahead of the Earth in our trip around the Sun. About 31/2 hours later, Earth will occupy that same location in space. The week of dark, moonless evening skies that follow this phase are ideal for observing fainter deep sky targets.

(Data courtesy of Starry Night)
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