Lunar observing is absolutely possible from a White Zone. The Moon is big, bright, easy to find, and has surprising variety. The same lunar features can even look completely different depending on when you observe it.
Optimal Viewing Times
Contrary to what you might imagine, the ideal time to observe the Moon is not during a full Moon. During the full Moon, rays of sunlight hit the Moon perpendicular to the surface (from our perspective). Thus, there are few shadows to provide contrast to surface features and we observe less detail than at other times.
One of the other difficulties that I have encountered while observing the full Moon is that it is so bright it leaves an afterimage on my eye. When I use a telescope, I get blinded for a couple of minutes after observing. Though it looks really funny to wear sunglasses at night, I have found them to be a blessing in such situations! Alternatively, if I’m observing from a room, switching on the room lights makes it a lot more bearable.
My favorite way to observe the Moon is to focus on the features along the “terminator” i.e. the dividing line between the day (or illuminated) and night side of the Moon. Here, shadows and detail are most pronounced as the sun’s rays are at a shallow angle to the surface of the Moon.
Peeking Behind the Lunar Limb
The Moon is tidally locked to the Earth (moons that are tidally locked to the parent body are quite common in our Solar System). This is a case of synchronous rotation, where the Moon takes the same time to rotate round its axis as it does to complete an orbit around Earth. Hence, the same side of the Moon always faces us.
Even so, it is possible to peek over the limb (the edge of the visible disc viewed from Earth) of the Moon due to libration. Libration is the perceived wobbling of the Moon due to changes in our perspective as the Moon travels on its elliptical orbit. We can therefore observe 59% of the surface of the Moon in total.
NASA has a visualization of 2019’s Moon phases and libration.
Lunar Sightseeing Tour
You can observe the Moon with your naked eyes or with optical aids like binoculars, telescopes, and cameras equipped with telephoto lenses.
Naked Eyes
Maria and Craters
You can use your Eyeball Mk I devices to observe the “seas” or lunar maria. These are the large, dark patches of the Moon that form the familiar “Man- or Rabbit- in the Moon”. They are actually large, basaltic plains formed during volcanic eruptions eons ago.
You may be able to identify large features such as the bright areas around prominent craters if you have excellent eyes.
Lunar Eclipses and Earthshine
One of the most exciting naked-eye observations of the Moon would be a lunar eclipse! This occurs when the Moon passes directly into the shadow of the Earth. Thus, it occurs only during a full Moon and happens on average one and a half times a year.
You may notice that the Moon does not go completely dark during an eclipse but turns reddish instead. This is due to the refraction of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere into the shadow cone of the Earth. The color arises because the shorter wavelengths (bluer colors) of sunlight are scattered more than the longer (redder colors). Hence, the redder light dominates after passing through the atmosphere. The color can also vary depending on the amount of dust or cloud in the atmosphere.
When the Moon is on the other side of its orbit around Earth near the time of a new Moon, you may be able to observe Earthshine. This happens when sunlight reflects off the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans and gently lights up the dark parts of the Moon.
Binoculars
Binoculars open up a new world of lunar observation. You can begin to explore the smaller lunar maria and larger ridge formations. Larger craters are now within your reach.
Binoculars are very portable and provide a nice wide-field view. However, they are not easy to hold steadily unless you utilize a binocular tripod.
Telescopes
Endless vistas await you when you move on to telescopes! Smaller craters, mountain ridges, and even ancient fault lines can be observed. With increasing aperture (up to a limit where atmospheric effects make it difficult to get a clear view), more lunar detail will be visible. Features down to a few kilometers across can be observed with larger instruments.
Beginning Your Lunar Observing Journey
Now that you are all ready to begin your Lunar Observing Journey, the Astronomical League has a great Lunar Observing Program that could serve as the starting point of your adventure.