Who will be the first to spot the May New Moon with naked eyes after sunset? The Dark Moon will be in geocentric longitudinal conjunction with the Sun on 2009 MAY 24 at 12:11 UT (07:11 CDT). 

We’re still in that portion of the year which is favorable for spotting a really young Moon from the northern hemisphere.  It’s possible that some North Americans will observe a slim crescent Moon on May 24, especially from the west coast.  Most of us will have to wait until the following evening. 

I’ve created two graphics previewing the western sky from Chicagoland shortly after sunset on May 24 and 25, although they should well serve most North American observers.  They can be seen by clicking: http://www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

Photos and descriptions of the May New Moon would be welcome additions to this thread. Please include the date, time, time zone and location. Good Luck!

Below is a photo I took from Arlington Heights, Illinois on 2007 MAR 19 of the Moon aged 21:45 hours, which is the youngest I’ve seen it.

Hi Curt,.,I looked for the moon last night but no luck,.,,my western view is somewhat limited by trees { 12-15* } or so.,.,The almanac had the new moon at 8:11am. and had the setting time at 8:54pm.,,,. Tonights setting time is 10:01pm. ,.,I will be watching .,,the skies are clear for us here today.,.,the times listed are from the Old Farmers Almanac.,,and are for Boston Ma..P.S..,.,Moonscope??,.,,It sounds to me like the gods chose you a long time ago to be the "watcher of the moon",.,O+O

On our way home this evening my wife and I had a late dinner at a restaurant.  The meal took a lot longer than it should have and when we finally got outside the young crescent Moon was one of the very first things I noticed.

Dave Mitsky

I was unable to see the new moon on the 24th or the 25th ,..,on the 26th at 3:30pm. I could see it {I had been watching for it every hr. or so throughout the day}  at this time it was apprx.,.,,55hr.20min old,.,and it was just about due south,.,.,it clouded over shortly after and has remained that way ever since,.,someone in New England must of bought some gear.,,.we are in for a week of clouds and rain,.,O+O

I know this is hardly a record but considering the dearth of clear skies lately I was happy to see the waxing crescent last night.  It was very pretty and fairly high up but it was still twilight and I could not catch much of the darkside.  I was hoping that the fog would hold off a bit so I could see it better but that was a forlorn hope as it rolled in shortly thereafter.

Still, a little Moon is better than none.

L