How do I spot the young moon, August 18th?

[pghnative]

I'll be in a good viewing spot next weekend to spot the moon at sunset (US, New Jersey). If my math is right, the moon should be a little over 30 hrs old at sunset Saturday and might be viewable. What's the easiest way for me to figure out where to look. Is the moon a little north of the sun right now? or south? How far (degrees)?

I suppose I could figure it out myself with some astronomy software, which brings up my next question --- what software would people here recommend? Usually I see people here talking about Celestia --- any other options?

[Centaur]

I'll be in a good viewing spot next weekend to spot the moon at sunset (US, New Jersey). If my math is right, the moon should be a little over 30 hrs old at sunset Saturday and might be viewable. What's the easiest way for me to figure out where to look. Is the moon a little north of the sun right now? or south? How far (degrees)?

I suppose I could figure it out myself with some astronomy software, which brings up my next question --- what software would people here recommend? Usually I see people here talking about Celestia --- any other options?

I'm afraid that you can forget it on the 18th. For Newark, NJ the Moon will set 14 minutes after the Sun while at a declination more than 11° south of the Sun. In fact spotting the Moon by naked eye will remain quite difficult for you on the 19th, but give it a try. The celestial geometry during late summer and early autumn precludes the sighting of a really young Moon for observers north of the tropics. The ecliptic at sunset strikes the horizon at a relatively small angle at this time of year. To make matters worse, the waxing crescent Moon will be well south of the ecliptic this month due to the current positions of the Moon's nodes in their 18.6-year cycle.

Every month I initiate a New Moon spotting thread in the Astronomy forum of this message board. This month I had planned to do so after the Moon's occultation of Venus on August 13. I'll place preview graphics for this month's New Moon spotting challenge on my Moon webpage after I remove the occultation links. Currently on that page your will find my Diana's Bow graphic. That illustrates how the season of the year affects the positioning of a waxing crescent Moon: www.CurtRenz.com/moon

I create all of my astronomical graphics with my self-made software. I've been told that Starry Night software is excellent: http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-5033069-10537984

[glappkaeft]

Stellarium is otherwise the go-to planatarium solution for this kind of questions.

[pghnative]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try Saturday with binoculars, even though it seems unlikely. I'll look Sunday as well. Here's hoping the skies are clear.