Seeing the Lunar X, Friday, August 1, 2025

Western night sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Adelaide at 20:17 ACST	Western night sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Melbourne at 20:57 AEST	Western night sky on Friday, August 1 as seen from Perth at 18:57 AWST

The Lunar X (often known as the Werner X) and the Lunar V will probably be seen this Friday because the Moon reaches First Quarter.
The Lunar X is a chiaroscuro effect wherein sturdy contrasts of sunshine and shadow create the looks of a letter ‘X’ on the rim of the Lunar craters Blanchinus, La Caille and Purbach and a letter V from the rim of the crater Ukert, together with a number of smaller craters. 

The X and V are seen at first quarter, seen on the lunar floor for about 4 hours. Nevertheless, the Moon isn’t all the time above the horizon from a given vantage level when this occurs. This month is sweet for Australian observers, with the Moon reasonably excessive above the horizon within the jap sates, and fairly excessive on the west coast.

Lunar X happens on Friday, August 1, 10:57 UT,  20:57 AEST, 20:17 ACST, 18:57 AWST). That is sooner than official first Quarter which happens at 22:11 ACST.

This can be a telescope (and perhaps good binoculars) solely occasion. For the west coast the beginning of the Lunar X happens with the Moon being 70° above the horizon, central states see it at 53° above the horizon, and for the east coast at 45° above the horizon.

Upcoming Lunar X’ s are proven under:

Dates and time Lunar X and V are seen. Sometimes seen from
about 4hours from the beginning time, occasions in color are daylight saving
occasions.

Labels: Lunar X, Moon, Occultation, telescope

# posted by Ian Musgrave @ 9:16 pm