First Quarter Moon
Friday, 16 December 1988 · 05:40 local in London
1988-12-16 05:40 UTC · Europe/London
First Quarter Moon occurs at 05:40 local time in London on 16 December. Half of the visible disc is lit, and the terminator cuts across the middle. Long shadows make craters along the dividing line stand out.
Moon altitude
-40°
At the exact phase
Illumination
50%
First Quarter
Local date
16 Dec
1988
Viewing tips
- Look along the terminator for the strongest crater shadows.
- The Moon is highest in the evening during this phase.
- Binoculars are enough to see major craters and maria.
Visibility, honestly
Below the horizon at the exact moment — look near moonrise or moonset.
A phase is a global instant; whether it is above your horizon depends on location. Weather is not included here. Check the tonight outlook for cloud cover and a viewing score. No eclipse or conjunction claim is made on this page.
Phase times from Astronomy Engine. Rise/set and altitude use atmospheric refraction. Method
First Quarter · 50% lit
Phase at 05:40 local · NASA LRO surface
Next moonrise
12:06
Next moonset
00:56
Next events
Calendar →Dec 1988
23
Full Moon
Above horizon05:29 local · Fri, Fri 23 Dec · Moon 25°
Dec 1988
31
Last Quarter Moon
Above horizon04:57 local · Sat, Sat 31 Dec · Moon 30°
Jan 1989
7
New Moon
Not visible19:22 local · Sat, Sat 7 Jan · Moon -32°
Jan 1989
14
First Quarter Moon
Above horizon13:58 local · Sat, Sat 14 Jan · Moon 29°