First quarter moon will grace the sky on June 2. How to catch a glimpse.
The first quarter phase marks the quarter point on the moon's monthly journey, according to NASA.
During this position, the moon's illuminated side is half-lit, according to the agency.
A first-quarter moon is ideal for observing here on Earth, NASA says, because it rises in the afternoon — around noon — and is high above the horizon in the evening before setting around midnight.
Here's what to know about the first quarter phase and how to best view the moon.
The moon has both a day and night side, with the sun always illuminating half of the moon. The portion of the illuminated half changes as the moon travels through its orbit.
First quarter is the third phase of the moon's eight lunar phases. The cycle repeats about every 29.5 days, according to NASA.
During the first quarter phase, one half of the moon will appear illuminated by direct sunlight, per NASA.
However, even though the moon is half-visible from Earth during first quarter, it's not actually a half moon. According to NASA, during first quarter, only half of the moon's illuminated half is visible on Earth.
A full moon is technically a half moon, because the sun is illuminating the full day side of the moon during that phase, per NASA.
According to NASA, the moon will reach first quarter, or 50% illuminated, just before 11 p.m. EST, in the Northern Hemisphere on June 2. The exact timing will differ based on location.
On the East Coast, the moon is expected to be at first quarter around 11:40 p.m. EST, according to In-The-Sky.org.
The next first quarter phase will be on July 2, according to NASA.
The moon's first quarter phase will be visible here on Earth. For those looking to catch a glimpse, NASA recommends a set of binoculars or a telescope, which will highlight the moon's texture and terrain.
However, bare eyes also work. With no tools on hand, NASA says to look carefully and give your eyes time plenty of time to adjust — what you can see will vary based on your eyesight.
When eyeballing the moon, you'll mostly see areas of either white or gray. The gray patches, called lunar maria or seas, are solidified volcanic lavas, according to NASA.
NASA has a daily viewing guide which highlights the lunar maria that you may be able to see from Earth.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Moon to reach first quarter, lighting half on June 2. What to know.
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