Phase 3 of 8 · UK
First Quarter Moon
Not right now. The Moon is in its waning crescent phase (4% lit). The next first quarter Moon starts and lasts 4.0 days.
- 31–69% lit · half lit at the quarter
- Lit on the right
- Moon age 5.5–9.2 days
Next first quarter Moon dates in UK time (GMT or BST)
| Exact first quarter | Phase starts | Phase ends | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open in the calendar | 4.0 days | ||
| Open in the calendar | 3.8 days | ||
| Open in the calendar | 3.7 days |
The Moon is first quarter from each start time to the end time beside it. The phase lasts about 3.7 days on average, between three and four days in practice.
Time zone: Europe/London
First quarter Moon from the UK
Exactly half of the disc is lit, the right-hand half from the UK. The line between light and shadow is almost straight, and craters along it throw long shadows, which makes the surface stand out in binoculars.
It is already up in the afternoon, so it is the half Moon you can find in daylight. It stands highest in the south around sunset and sets near midnight.
| Day | Lit | Moonrise | Moonset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 NovPhase starts | 32% | ||
| Tue 17 NovMiddle | 50% | ||
| Thu 19 NovPhase ends | 70% |
Rise and set times are for central London on the dates of the next first quarter Moon. Moonrise and moonset for any UK place.
What first quarter means
A quarter refers to the Moon's orbit, not to the disc: it is a quarter of the way round from new Moon, and half of the face shows. The exact first quarter is one instant, and the phase name covers the days either side of it.
The exact first quarter falls in the middle of the phase, with the crescent before it and the gibbous Moon after it.
In Moon lore. Traditionally linked with decisions, action and overcoming resistance.