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The young moon returns

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Deborah Byrd

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May 6, 2019

A somewhat cloudy twilight sky. The very slim crescent of the young moon is hardly noticeable. A red arrow points to it. — View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Muzamir Mazlan at Telok Kemang Observatory in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, used a telescope to capture a moon so young – so nearly between the Earth and sun – that the eye wouldn’t have been able to see it. Muzamir wrote: “The picture was captured at 7:25 PM MYT – 5 May 2019 – when the moon age is 12 hours and 38 minutes. Spot the super thin crescent moon! It also marks the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan.” Muzamir also captured the waning moon on May 4. Amazing pair of photos, Muzamir! Thank you. Click here to learn the youngest moon you can see with the eye alone.

For more beautiful photos of this month’s young moon, check EarthSky Community Photos

This photo, by Dustin Guy in Seattle, Washington, is particularly nice

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May 6, 2019

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Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:

Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.