See the half-lit first quarter moon shine in the grasp of Scorpius this weekend. Earth’s natural satellite will reach its first quarter phase at 2:25 a.m. (0625 GMT) on Aug. 31, though it will be below the horizon for U.S. viewers. The best time to catch the event is at sunset on Aug. 30, when the moon will be less than 20 degrees above the southwestern horizon. To measure that, hold your fist at arm’s length — it spans about 10 degrees of sky.
At this phase, the right side of the lunar disk will glow with sunlight while the left remains in shadow. On Aug. 30, the moon will appear close to Antares, the bright red supergiant star. To the right of the moon, stargazers will also spot the stars of Libra, once considered the claws of the great celestial scorpion represented by Scorpius.
Earth’s moon will set just over three hours after the sun on Aug. 30. For the clearest view, find a location with an unobstructed southwestern horizon. This striking alignment of the moon with Scorpius makes for a dramatic celestial pairing.
The next milestone is the full moon phase on Sept. 7, 2025. This will coincide with a total lunar eclipse, as Earth’s shadow passes directly over the lunar surface, transforming it into a haunting “blood moon.”
Read more: Total lunar eclipse 2025 — Everything you need to know about the next blood moon.
For those inspired to explore further, consider checking top telescopes and binoculars suited for stargazing in 2025. Beginners may also enjoy smartphone astronomy apps, which use augmented reality to help navigate the night sky with ease.
