First Quarter Moon: What time will the First Quarter Moon be visible on August 25?

First Quarter Moon is a primary phase of Moon. It is time when we can see exactly half of Moon’s surface, as only half of it is being illuminated by Sun’s light. First Quarter Moon is also kwn as a Half Moon this is because we can see exactly 50% of Moon's surface. 

It is a widely kwn fact that  ocean tides on Earth are mostly created by Moon’s gravitational pull. During its First and Third Quarter, Moon and Sun pull in different directions. This also produces smallest difference between high and low tide, kwn as neaps or neap tide. Read on to find out more details about First Quarter Moon.

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When will First Quarter Moon be visible?

EarthSky report states that First Quarter Moon rises in middle of day and sets in middle of night in most places. Generally, skywatchers are able to see First Quarter Moon more frequently than Third Quarter Moon.  latter primarily appears in sky after midnight.

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What time will First Quarter Moon be visible tonight?

According to a report on EarthSky, Tuesday, August 25 will see a First Quarter Moon. Moon will become visible at 17:57 UTC, which is 10:57 am Tuesday, Pacific Time (PT), 1:57 pm Tuesday, Eastern Time (ET). In Australia, First Quarter Moon will be visible at 3:57 am Wednesday, Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). 

Source: Unsplash

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Moon Phases explained

Source: Unsplash

In Western Culture, lunar month is generally divided into four primaries and four intermediate Moon phases. Hence, First Quarter Moon is considered as second primary Moon phase. This is time when Moon has reached first quarter of its orbit around Earth. Hence term “First Quarter Moon” is used.

first primary Moon phase is New Moon and third phase is Full Moon. last Moon phase as per western calendars is  Third Quarter Moon. Hence, technically, primary Moon phases occur at a very specific moment in time of every month. 

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time period between two primary phases is called intermediate Moon phases. Thus, we see Waxing Crescent Moon,  Waxing Gibbous Moon,  Waning Gibbous Moon, and  Waning Crescent Moon in this phase. But, it is important to te that although interpreted differently in different cultures, moon phases are same all over world. 

Hence, same percent and area of Moon will be illuminated matter which part of Earth an observer looks at Moon from. But, Moon rotates in different ways depending on time, date, and observer’s location, and also Moon's position in sky. Hence, illuminated part can appear on left, right, top, or bottom.