Jeddah Astronomy Society observes the last quarter of the moon and details of its topography
The Jeddah Astronomical Society, through its president, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, announced that the skies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will witness the phenomenon of the last quarter moon of the holy month of Ramadan, after midnight on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. In this important astronomical phase, half of the lunar disk will appear fully illuminated while the other half will be plunged into darkness, meaning that the moon has completed about three-quarters of its orbit around the Earth during this lunar month.
The scientific and historical importance of observing lunar phases
Throughout history, observing lunar phases has been a cornerstone of the calendars of many ancient civilizations. In the Islamic context, these phenomena are of paramount importance due to their close connection with determining the beginnings and ends of the lunar months. Historically, early astronomers relied on the terminator, the line separating light and darkness, to study the moon's characteristics. They recognized early on that this line provides the best visual contrast for observing subtle details that are invisible during a full moon due to its intense illumination.
The impact of astronomical phenomena at the local and regional levels
Observing and documenting such events is not merely visually stimulating; it has a tangible impact both locally and regionally. In Saudi Arabia, these meticulous observations contribute to raising public awareness of astronomy and support educational initiatives targeting youth and students, aligning with modern trends in promoting innovation and science. Regionally and internationally, astronomical observatories share their data to unify efforts in understanding the dynamics of the solar system, making each astronomical phenomenon an opportunity to foster collaborative scientific research among various institutions worldwide.
A unique visual spectacle during the last quarter moon
Engineer Abu Zahra explained that the last quarter phase of the moon is one of the best times to observe the lunar surface features. Using binoculars or small telescopes, amateur astronomers can see the towering mountains and deep lunar craters with remarkable clarity along the terminator (the line separating the illuminated and dark sides of the moon). This exceptional clarity is due to the interplay of light and shadow at specific angles, giving the scene a three-dimensional appearance that makes astrophotography a unique, aesthetically pleasing, and informative scientific experience.
The moon's journey towards the crescent of Shawwal
After midnight, the moon will continue its gradual ascent across the sky, reaching its highest point at sunrise on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. At that moment, the moon will adorn the sky with the enchanting blue light of dawn and can be easily observed until it sets around noon local time. During the following days, the angle between the moon and the sun will gradually decrease, and the moon will enter its waning crescent phase, visible briefly before sunrise. This will pave the way for its conjunction and the beginning of a new lunar cycle, marking the arrival of Shawwal 1447 AH.
