Rigorous, practical astronomy articles explaining how the Moon behaves in our skies.
Understand how the Moon orbits Earth relative to the Sun, producing the changing illuminated fraction observed from Earth without involving Earth shadow.
Read Field Guide →Discover why the Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each day due to its eastward orbital motion against the background stars.
Read Field Guide →Exploring the optical contrast and angular separations that allow our eyes to discern the sunlit Moon against the scattered blue sky.
Read Field Guide →Visual mnemonics, curvature orientation, and the difference in terminator progression between waxing and waning cycles.
Read Field Guide →Why lunar seas, craters, and terminator crescents appear upside-down to observers in South America, Australia, and Southern Africa.
Read Field Guide →Overcoming exposure blown-out highlights by treating the Moon as a daylight-lit sunlit rock rather than a nighttime subject.
Read Field Guide →Why Full Moon is actually the worst phase for observing crater relief and why intermediate phases with low sun angles reveal stunning topography.
Read Field Guide →A clear guide to horizontal coordinates, defining altitude from horizon to zenith and azimuth compass bearings from true North.
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