Lab #2. Observing the Sky

Lunar Phase Times (Fall 2026)

These are the dates and times of new and first quarter moon phases during Fall 2026. Times are adjusted for Daylight Saving from March through November. Note that 12:00 pm is noon, and 12:00 am is midnight.

The first two columns give the dates and times for the new moon phases from January through July. The next two contain the dates and times for the first quarter phases, occurring roughly a week later. The next two tell us the dates and times at which each first quarter moon (FQM) will culminate (rise to its highest altitude in the sky). Note that this sometimes occurs the evening before, rather than after, the exact time of the first quarter moon. The final column tells us the declination (dec) of the Moon when the first quarter moon is culminating, or how far it lies, in degrees, above or below the Equator.

For Las Cruces, New Mexico:

New Moon				First Quarter Moon				FQM Culminations				Lunar Dec
Date		Time		Date		Time		Date		Time		Degrees
August	12,	11:37	am	August	19,	8:46	pm	August	19,	6:43	pm	-25.2
September	10,	9:27	pm	September	18,	2:44	pm	September	18,	7:06	pm	-28.8
October	10,	9:50	am	October	18,	10:13	am	October	18,	7:27	pm	-23.3
November	9,	12:02	am	November	17,	4:48	am	November	16,	5:51	pm	-16.1
December	8,	5:52	pm	December	16,	10:43	pm	December	16,	5:53	pm	-1.0

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We also provide information on the last quarter moons. The first two columns again give the dates and times for the new moon phases. The next two contain the dates and times for the last quarter phases, occurring roughly three weeks later. The next two tell us the dates and times at which each last quarter moon (LQM) will culminate. The final column tells us the declination of the Moon when the last quarter moon is culminating.

For Las Cruces, New Mexico:

New Moon				Last Quarter Moon				LQM Culminations				Lunar Dec
Date		Time		Date		Time		Date		Time		Degrees
August	12,	11:37	am	September	4,	1:51	am	September	4,	7:04	am	27.6
September	10,	9:27	pm	October	3,	7:25	am	October	3,	7:03	am	26.8
October	10,	9:50	am	November	1,	1:28	pm	November	1,	5:55	am	20.6
November	9,	12:02	am	November	30,	11:09	pm	December	1,	6:20	am	4.7
December	8,	5:52	pm	December	30,	11:59	am	December	30,	5:46	am	-6.2