Stargazers across the Chinese mainland witnessed an extraordinary astronomical event this week as the brightest first quarter moon of 2026 illuminated Tuesday night skies. The striking D-shaped lunar phenomenon, captured by amateur astronomers and professionals alike, reached peak visibility at 8:28 p.m. Beijing Time on February 25.
Wang Kechao, director of science popularization at Nanjing's Purple Mountain Observatory, explained the celestial mechanics behind the spectacle: "When the moon's orbital perigee coincides with its first quarter phase, we get this rare combination of proximity and illumination. At 370,000 kilometers from Earth – nearly 30,000 kilometers closer than average – the moon's western hemisphere appeared brilliantly lit in its distinctive D formation."
The observatory's analysis reveals this event's uniqueness in 2026's lunar calendar, which will feature 12 first quarter moons and 13 last quarter moons. Social media platforms buzzed with #DMoon posts as residents shared photos of the luminous crescent casting sharp shadows across urban landscapes.
This cosmic display comes as China continues to expand its lunar exploration program, with recent missions enhancing scientific understanding of Earth's natural satellite. While Tuesday's event required no special equipment to enjoy, astronomers recommend marking calendars for April's full perigee moon, expected to offer another exceptional viewing opportunity.
