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The 3rd quarter moon rises at average around midnight. For the mid-north latitudes it balances from cca 10 PM (September; north-east) to 2 AM (March; south-east). It culminates around 6 AM (often is writen at sunrise, but sunrise balances from 4 AM to 8 AM, so that is better to wite/say"6 AM". It rides low in March, intermediate in June and December and high in March. It sets around 10 AM (March; southwest), noon (June and December; due west) and 2 PM (September; northwest). Moonrise retardation and orientation: In March and September), in time of moonrise/moonset the Moon's orbit makes intermediate angle with horizon (angle same as the celestial equator does), so time of moonrise/moonset varies by cca 50 minutes (it's an average) and it's orientation is also intermediate. When the Moon culminates, it stands due upright. In June and December the Moon rises due at midnight and due east. But notice great difference of retardation and orientation (they are at extreme values). The reason is angle between Moon's orbit and horizon. In June, the orbit makes shallow angle and the Moon rises SLIGHTLY later night-by-night and it stays rather upright). But in December, Moon's orbit makes a steep angle with the horizon and the Moon rises CONSIDERABLY later night-by-night and it look like "U". Notice also orientation of Last Quarter Moon when it culminates. Only in March and September it stays due upright (see above). In June, it is inclined to west and in December to East.

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16y ago

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