Location of Crescent Moon

The crescent moon is sighted above the Western horizon after sunset. The moon appears at different angles and positions depending upon one’s location on earth. The following graphics show what the first visible crescent looks like for different points on earth.

Northern Hemisphere:
Equator:
Southern Hemisphere

The points of the new moon are called "horns." These point to the pathway of the setting sun. Depending upon one’s latitude, the distance away from the path of the setting sun will be plus or minus 5˚. At arm’s length, the width of one finger is 1.5 degrees. The furthest away from the sun’s pathway that the crescent ever appears, will be approximately four fingers. If one is at the equator, the moon will appear to set directly over where the sun set.

The further North or South one goes, the more degrees away from the sun’s path the moon will appear. The following graphics show the position of the crescent in relation to that of the sun.

Northern Hemisphere:

Equator:

Southern Hemisphere:

Graphics: copyright Nick Strobel, www.astronomynotes.com

Like the sun, the moon also rises in the East and sets in the West. The time of day the moon rises, determines whether or not it will be seen, and how much of it will be seen. Following is a listing of times the moon rises according to its phase. The moon follows approximately the same pathway as the sun. The moon always rises approximately 50 minutes later each 24-hour period.

Moonrise times:

Conjunction – sunrise (The moon rises with the sun and thus cannot be seen.)
First Quarter – noon.
Full moon – sunset.
Last quarter – midnight.