The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
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Image by By H. Raab (User:Vesta), Johannes-Kepler-Observatory, Linz, Austria (http://www.sternwarte.at)
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- The Jewel Handle or Golden Handle
The Moon’s Golden Handle is visible from the UK once each lunar month, roughly 2-4 days after First Quarter Moon, when the Sun grazes the Montes Jura and lights their peaks while Sinus Iridum is still in darkness ~ this creates the bright “handle” effect along the terminator.
o - After the First Quarter Moon (half-moonlit), the Moon increases towards the Full Moon in the waxing gibbous phase ~ the time when the Jewelled handle shines brightest.
o - This effect is only visible for a few days each month ~ roughly 2-4 days after the first quarter Moon.
o - Equipment
You will need a small telescope or binoculars (8×42 or 10×50) are enough to show the arc beautifully.
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2026 The Eyes of Clavius
2026
The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
- Best months
February, April, June, July, and October
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| Month 2026 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers |
| Tuesday 27th |
| Wednesday 25th |
| Friday 27th |
| Saturday 25th / Sunday 26th |
| Sunday 24th / Monday 25th |
| Tuesday 23rd / Wednesday 24th |
| Thursday 23rd |
| Friday 21st |
| Sunday 20th / Monday 21st |
| Monday 19th / Tuesday 20th |
| Wednesday 28th / Thursday 29th |
| Thursday 17th / Friday 18th |
| Best UK Observing |
| Possible (Moon setting) |
| Good (evening) |
| Possible later as Moon rises |
| Good (late night) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Evening to late night |
| Best in evening |
| Poor (very low, bright sky) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Evening good |
| Daylight (imaging only) |
| Not practical from UK |
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2027 The Eyes of Clavius
2027
The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
- Best months
February, April, August and October
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| Month 2027 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers |
| Wednesday 13th |
| Thursday 11th |
| Saturday 13th |
| Sunday 11th |
| Monday 10th |
| Tuesday 8th |
| Friday 7th |
| Thursday 5th |
| Friday 3rd |
| Sunday 3rd |
| Monday 1st |
| Friday 31st |
| Best UK Observing |
| Daylight only |
| Good (evening) |
| Daylight only |
| Good (late night) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Poor (low Moon, bright twilight) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (early morning) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (pre‑dawn) |
| Good (early evening) |
| Possible (morning, low Moon) |
2028 The Eyes of Clavius
2028
The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
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- Best months
January / March / July / September / November / December
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| Month 2028 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers |
| Monday 31st |
| Tuesday 29th |
| Saturday 30th |
| Friday 28th |
| Saturday 27th |
| Sunday 25th |
| Monday 24th |
| Wednesday 23rd |
| Thursday 21st |
| Sunday 3rd |
| Sunday 19th |
| Tuesday 19th |
| Best UK Observing |
| Good (pre-dawn) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (late night / high Moon) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Possible (low in bright twilight) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (evening) |
| Daylight only |
| Good (evening / high Moon) |
| Possible (morning / fairly low) |
| Good (early evening / high Moon) |
| Good (pre-dawn) |
2029 The Eyes of Clavius
2029
The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
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- Best months
February, April, August, October and December
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| Month 2029 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers |
| Thursday 18th |
| Friday 16th |
| Sunday 18th |
| Monday 16th |
| Wednesday 16th |
| Thursday 14th |
| Saturday 14th |
| Sunday 12th |
| Tuesday 11th |
| Thursday 11th |
| Friday 9th |
| Sunday 9th |
| Best UK Observing |
| Possible (morning / low altitude) |
| Good (early evening) |
| Not visible (daytime only) |
| Good (evening) |
| Not visible (daytime only) |
| Poor (very low in bright twilight) |
| Not visible (daytime only) |
| Good (evening) |
| Not visible (daytime only) |
| Good (late evening) |
| Not visible (daytime only) |
| Good (midnight to early morning) |
2030 The Eyes of Clavius
2030
The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers
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- Best months
January, March, July, October and November
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| Month 2030 |
| January |
| February |
| March |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
| The Eyes of Clavius for the UK Observers |
| Sunday 6th |
| Monday 4th |
| Wednesday 6th |
| Thursday 4th |
| Friday 3rd |
| Saturday 1st |
| Monday 1st |
| Thursday 29th / Friday 30th |
| Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th |
| Monday 28th |
| Wednesday 27th / Thursday 28th |
| n/a |
| Best UK Observing |
| Good (pre‑dawn) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (late night, high Moon) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Possible (low in bright twilight) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (evening) |
| Good (evening, high Moon) |
| Not visible (daytime) |
| Good (evening, high Moon) |
| Good (pre‑dawn) |
| n/a |
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- More search for The Clair-Obscur Effects from her website for essentially the dates, times, explanations or how to observe them – www.marymcintyres.astronomy.co.uk
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