At first quarter, the Moon appears half illuminated. The dividing line between day and night—the terminator—casts long shadows across crater rims and mountains, giving even simple optics a satisfying three-dimensional view.
The phase is expected at 12:13 p.m. Eastern today. With Atlanta’s clear forecast, a quick evening look is more promising than a complicated astrophotography trip.
If you have binoculars or a small telescope, steady the optics first, then try a smartphone image through the eyepiece. Compare a normal photo with a slightly reduced exposure to preserve the bright lunar surface.
What to do: Spend ten minutes after sunset photographing the Moon; aim for the terminator rather than the bright middle.