Find the Moon's dark maria before October's full Moon

When can you see the Moon this weekend?

KASI's October table shows that the Moon rises before sunset in Seoul this weekend. Moonrise is calculated for the horizon; buildings or mountains may delay your first view.

KASI's October 2026 astronomical events table was checked on October 24, KST. Check moonrise for locations outside Seoul and the day's cloud forecast before leaving.

Full Moon is a reference instant in the lunar phase cycle. Reaching full phase during the day on October 26 does not mean the Moon looks round only that night. As NASA's phase guide explains, it also appears nearly full on surrounding days.

What are the dark patches on the Moon?

They are called lunar seas, or maria. NASA's Moon map describes them as broad, flat plains of solidified basaltic lava. You can find broad patterns with your eyes or binoculars.

The surrounding bright areas are highlands. NASA's Moon Facts distinguishes these from dark, lava-filled basins and describes the many impact craters on the surface. Rather than trying to name every small hollow, follow the boundaries between bright ground and dark patches.

Draw a circle on paper and mark the dark areas you notice. It need not be an accurate drawing. It only needs to help you recognize the same patterns next time.

Where should you look with binoculars?

Keep the whole Moon in view and find your chosen pattern again. Binoculars reveal more craters and mountain ridges. If your hands shake, support your arms or steady the binoculars on a tripod.

Look for crater relief along the terminator, where shadows are long. Small features can be harder to identify near full Moon.

Record the date, time, whether you used binoculars, and the pattern you found. This makes changes easier to compare on another day. Never point binoculars toward the Sun while it is still above the horizon.

How do you match a Moon map to your view?

Open NASA's Daily Moon Guide for your observing date. Match the large dark patches to the Moon in front of you before reading feature names.

1. Write down your observing date and time.
2. Find the outline of a dark patch on the map and compare it with the Moon.
3. Name only the areas you identify; leave uncertain ones blank.

NASA's 2026 observing-event map depicts September 19. It can help with the names of maria, but today's light-and-dark boundary will differ. When comparing views from different dates, distinguish the positions of surface patterns from how much of the Moon is sunlit.