How to see the phenomenon yourself
Get ready for an amazing sight that looks like it’s from a sci-fi film! This week, a huge ‘X’ will show up on the Moon.
On Thursday, March 6, a special event called the Lunar X will be visible for just a few hours, giving a fantastic view for people looking at the stars in the UK and US.
Some might think this is just a clever marketing trick by Elon Musk for SpaceX, but it’s actually due to the “clair-obscur” effect. This happens when sunlight creates shadows on the Moon’s bumpy surface.
Lunar X appearing on the Moon’s surface across China (Getty Images)
The illusion happens where four craters meet: Purbach, La Caille, Blanchinus, and Regiomontanus. When the light hits them just right, a huge glowing ‘X’ appears on the Moon’s surface for a short time.
If you’re really looking, you might also see another cool effect called the Lunar V, which shows up near the crater Ukert in a similar way.
The Lunar X starts to form around 11:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time and 06:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and it lasts for about four hours. The ‘X’ doesn’t just pop up all at once; it takes about 2.3 hours to become visible, shines brightly for about an hour, and then fades over the next 70 minutes as the sunlight changes.
In the UK, the Moon will set around 02:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Friday, March 7, so make sure to find a clear spot where you can see the horizon. People in the US will have a better view since it will be 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time and the Moon will be higher in the sky.
Using binoculars for stargazing (Getty Images)
How to see the Lunar X
If you want to see the giant X on the Moon and the Lunar V, you definitely can! They can be seen with your eyes, but there are a few things to remember. It’s a good idea to have binoculars or a small telescope to get a better look.
When you’re checking out the Moon, look for the terminator line, which is where the light and dark parts meet. Then, go about a third of the way up from the bottom edge, and you should see the ‘X’ starting to appear.
If you follow the terminator line up, you’ll also find the Lunar V.
Retired astronomer David Chapman suggests that using lower magnification is the best way to see the Lunar X because it makes it look brighter.
Unfortunately, many people in the UK might not get to see it because of expected cloudy weather, especially in the southwest, Wales, and Scotland. The best chance for clear skies will be in the east of the UK.
Don’t worry if you miss it this time! The Lunar X can be seen between one and five times a year, although it’s not always visible. The next opportunities will be on Saturday, April 5 (01:00 p.m GMT and 08:00 p.m EST) and July 3.
So, if the weather cooperates, grab your binoculars, find a dark spot, and enjoy one of the Moon’s coolest optical tricks before it fades away.
Featured Image Credit: George Pachantouris / Getty