Jeddah: The last quarter moon of Safar will be visible after midnight tonight, Wednesday, with half of its disk illuminated after completing approximately three-quarters of its monthly orbit around Earth.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Jeddah Astronomy Society President Majed Abu Zahra stated that this lunar phase is an optimal time for observing the moon's surface through binoculars or small telescopes. Mountains and craters are expected to appear in sharp detail along the terminator, the boundary between the illuminated and dark portions of the lunar surface, due to the strong contrast between light and shadow. These conditions also offer an ideal opportunity for astronomical photography.

Abu Zahra mentioned that the moon will continue rising across the sky until dawn on Thursday before setting around noon local time. He explained that observing the last quarter phase helps illustrate the progression of the lunar cycle and the moon's monthly motion as it wanes into the crescent phase before reaching conjunction, marking the beginning of Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 AH.