AST 195 PROJECT
Planning Lunar Observations

You will have three lunar observing projects that you will do with your telescope:

Before you can do all these observing projects, you must know when the moon will be at these phases, and when it will be visible. 

So this project is not to observe the moon, but to make a lunar planning calendar, so that you will know when you can observe the moon.

You can obtain a calendar showing the moon’s phases from any of the following observatories:

McDonald Observatory (“Stardate”):  http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/

Stephen F. Austin State University Observatory:  http://www.physics.sfasu.edu/observatory/SFAMoonPhases/SFAMoonPhases.html

Another source is http://www.moongiant.com/calendar/

Now, you need to know when the moon rises, when it sets, and when it transits (half-way between rising and setting—this is usually when it is easiest to see, most likely to be above all trees on the horizon, etc.).  Another term for “transit” is “meridian passing”.

These times are available from TimeandDate.com – https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/usa/louisville.

TimeandDate.com shows an entire month at once.  It gives moon rise, set, and transit times (it refers to transit as “meridian passing”), and percentage illuminated.

Do the following:

1)   Print out a copy of the “Chart of Moon Rise, Transit, & Set Times”—click here for the chart

2)   For the month of February, fill in the phase of the moon for each day of the month in the circles at the bottom.  Make a FULL moon white, and a NEW moon dark. 

See example below, for January 2020.



3)   Now plot the time of moonrise for each day of the month on the chart.  Plot this in RED. 

See example below.




4)   Next, for the same month, plot the time of moon transit/”meridian passing” for each day of the month on the chart.  Plot this in GREEN. 

See example below.




5)   Then, for the same month, plot the time of moonset for each day of the month on the chart.  Plot this in BLUE.

See example below.




6)   Lastly, connect the dots, and label the moon rise, moon transit/”meridian crossing” and moon set lines.  Also, highlight the area around the transit/”meridian crossing”, because that is the time when the moon, being about halfway between rising and setting, is highest in the sky and most easily viewed.  Label that region “Best for Viewing Moon”.  You might not always view the moon during the highlighted zone, but it is good to keep in mind.

See example below.




7)   Now repeat steps 2-6 for the months of March and April.

Your lunar planning calendars/charts are now finished!

Your charts should be neat and easily readable.  It should include all three of the months listed above.

Keep copies for yourself.  You will need it.  Turn in a copy of all three to your professor.  Make sure your name is on each.