Lunar X and Lunar V
The Lunar X and Lunar V are transient optical features that appear only for a few hours around the first quarter moon and can be seen through binoculars or a telescope.
These features are called the Lunar X and Lunar V because they look like the letter “X” and the letter “V” on the lunar surface.
Visibility of Lunar X and Lunar V
The Lunar X and Lunar V are visible along the terminator—the line that divides light and dark—of a first quarter moon.
The Lunar X becomes visible when sunlight reflects off the walls between the craters Blanchinus, La Caille, and Purbach on the lunar surface, while the crater floors remain in darkness.
Once you have seen the Lunar X, move your gaze further north (upwards) along the lunar terminator, and you will see the Lunar V.
The Lunar V becomes visible when sunlight reflects off the wall of the crater Ukert on the lunar surface, while the crater floor remains in darkness.
When will the Lunar X and Lunar V be visible next in 2026?
The moment of the first quarter moon will fall on January 26, 2026, at 04:47 UTC.
The Lunar X and Lunar V will next be visible from 16:00 UTC to 19:00 UTC on January 25, 2026—just a few hours before the first quarter moon.
Since the first quarter moon sets around midnight local time, this time will be favorable for European and West Asian observers.
Lunar X and Lunar V in 2026
According to NASA, here are the dates and times of the Lunar X and Lunar V in 2026:
| First quarter moon (dates and times are in UTC) | Lunar X and Lunar V (dates and times are in UTC) |
|---|---|
| January 26, 04:47 | January 25, 16:00 to 19:00 |
| February 24, 12:28 | February 24, 07:00 to 10:00 |
| March 25, 19:18 | March 25, 21:00 to 24:00 |
| April 24, 02:32 | April 24, 10:00 to 13:00 |
| May 23, 11:11 | May 23, 22:00 to May 24, 01:00 |
| June 21, 21:55 | June 22, 09:00 to 12:00 |
| July 21, 11:06 | July 21, 19:00 to 22:00 |
| August 20, 02:46 | August 20, 06:00 to 09:00 |
| September 18, 20:44 | September 18, 17:00 to 20:00 |
| October 18, 16:13 | October 18, 05:00 to 08:00 |
| November 17, 11:48 | November 16, 19:00 to 22:00 |
| December 17, 05:43 | December 16, 09:00 to 12:00 |
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Ashim,
Thanks so much for publicizing this event. I just went out and checked today on the 5th to make sure the Moon was visible. Planning to set up the telescope in my driveway for some “sidewalk astronomy” and see if I can capture some interest on the street.
Hope for clear skies!
Jared
You’re welcome, Jared! Also don’t forget to observe the slim crescent Venus before it disappears from the evening sky in mid-March.
Could you please post the dates and times for the lunar X in 2026?
Hello Linda,
I have posted this for you. Please take a look.
Thank you so much, Ashim!