[WilliamWallace1999]

It's not gonna be a problem. Remember, the phase of the moon is irrelevant if it is up during daytime hours. Got this data right from the Alamanac on Sky and Telescopes website, so don't flame me for giving out state secrets. I joked about just this occurance with my astronomy buddies when Katie Communist was telling everyone on the Today show that we would attack on a new moon. The moon rises full but with the sun. It will be dark all night and perfect for stargazing and targeting Iraqis with thermal sites.


Basra, Iraq Mar. 17, 2003

Twilight begins: 7:36 pm
Sunrise: 8:56 pm
Sunset: 8:58 am
Twilight ends: 10:18 am

Moonrise:
7:56 am
Moonset:
9:05 pm

times are local for Basra.

[BenLurkin]

Outstanding!

[Steven W.]

I had not seen this before - you are a wise man indeed :)

[Russian Sage]

A full moon rises more or less around sunset. Always.

It is full because it is on the oposite side of the earth from the sun.  It can not rise and set with the sun. Somehow, your ephemeral data is mistaken.  Are you sure these are Basra times?

[TheMightyQuinn]

Holy Crap! The sun rises in Iraq at 8:56 pm local time?!
That's some crazy daylight saving time they have!

[error99]

I think something is wrong with your calculations.
I will try to look round and get back to you on this.
It may take a while, though...
some non-freeping things are trying to interfere...

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Remember, the phase of the moon is irrelevant if it is up during daytime hours."

A full moon is by astronomical law is up only during night-time hours. Phases slightly offset from full afford moonless skies for a time before sunrise, or after sunset.

If we wait until March 25 for the 3rd quarter moon, be aware that there is darkness only until midnight. (Conversely, a first quarter moon sets at midnight.)