Moon Phase on April 15, 1999
On April 15, 1999, the moon was in its Waning Gibbous phase. This phase occurs when the Moon is more than half full but not yet in its Last Quarter phase.
Waning Gibbous Moon Characteristics
During this phase, the Moon appears to be decreasing in size as it moves away from full moon. The right half of the Moon's illuminated surface is still visible from Earth, but the amount of illuminated surface area is decreasing each day.
Moon's Age: 16.4 days old Moon's Distance from Earth: 398,144 kilometers (247,748 miles) Sun-Moon Angle: 132.5°
Moon's Position in the Sky
On April 15, 1999, the Moon was located in the constellation Virgo. It rose at 11:45 PM local time and set at 9:45 AM the next day.
Rise and Set Times:
- Rise: 11:45 PM (local time)
- Set: 9:45 AM (local time)
Moon's Visibility
The Waning Gibbous Moon was best viewed in the early morning hours, just before sunrise, when the sky was still dark. Its brightness made it visible even in light-polluted urban areas.
Interesting Facts
- The Waning Gibbous Moon is often referred to as the "Disseminating Moon" in astronomical circles.
- This phase marks the beginning of the Moon's descent towards the Last Quarter phase.
- The Moon's orbit is not a perfect circle, which means its distance from Earth varies throughout the month. On April 15, 1999, the Moon was at a distance of approximately 398,144 kilometers (247,748 miles) from Earth.
I hope this information helps you understand the Moon's phase on April 15, 1999!
