First Quarter
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
First Quarter
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
Each month, the Lunar Maria roll into view as the Earth’s moon becomes more and more illuminated by the Sun. The first Maria to become visible off by itself is called Mare Crisium (Sea of Crises), followed by three more Mare in sequence. First, Mare Fecunditatis (Sea if fertility), Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of tranquility), Mare Nectaris (Sea of nectar, seen below Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Tranquillitatis), Mare Serenitatis (Sea of serenity), Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold) up by the lunar north pole and Mare Imbrium (Sea of rain) visible in this First Quarter lunar image.
You probably remember Mare Tranquillitatis as the site of the first Moon landing by Apollo 11 on July 20th, 1969.
You are looking at the first quarter lunar phase. Half of the moon is illuminated by sunlight and you are only seeing one half of that. Half of a half is a quarter and since this view is seen during the first half of the lunar month, it is referred to as the first quarter phase.
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed.
Image copyright 2023 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
November 13th, 2023
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