An enormous 'X' and 'V' will grace the moon's surface tonight. Here's how to see them

A close up of the Moon's surface, showing an X and v in the dust.

The night of the first quarter moon phase on July 2 presents a good opportunity to spot a colossal 'X' and 'V' emblazoned on the lunar surface.

This month's first quarter phase occurs at 11:41 p.m. EDT on July 2 (0341 GMT on July 3), at which time the right side of the half-lit lunar disk will be illuminated by direct sunlight from the perspective of viewers in the northern hemisphere on Earth.