Thursday, May 18, 2006

More Moon Musings

http://paganinstitute.org/PIR/lunar_info.html has the following fascinating facts about the moon:

Lunar phases occur because our Moon revolves around the Earth and one side of the moon always faces the Sun. Everyone on earth sees the same phase of the moon.

New Moon - The Moon's dark side faces Earth, rendering the Moon invisible (except during a solar eclipse).

Heliacle New Moon - The Moon's first visible crescent appears just above the setting Sun in the west. This may occur as early as 18 hours after the astronomical "new moon." It is this first crescent which is counted as the "New Moon" in ancient Greece, Rome, the Middle East and Celtic countries. Even today, the lunar calendars of Judaism and Islam use the first visible crescent as the New Moon...Many times, reflected Earth shine will reveal the dark side of the Moon; in poetry and folksong, this is referred to as the "New Moon with the Old Moon in Her arms." The ancient Greeks called this day the Noumena, and in Athens it was so sacred that no other festival could ever supercede it. The ancient Romans called this day the Calends, from which we get the word "calendar."

Waxing Crescent - The Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

First Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Waxing Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is increasing.

Full Moon - The Moon's illuminated side faces Earth. For 3 days Moon appears to be completely illuminated by direct sunlight. The Moon is opposed to the Sun, and rises about sunset.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon appears to be more than one-half but less than fully illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Last Quarter - One-half of the Moon appears to be illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing.

Waning Crescent - Rising late at night, the Moon appears to be partly but less than one-half illuminated by direct sunlight. The fraction of the Moon's disk that is illuminated is decreasing. The Moon disappears in the brightness of the rising Sun and will be unseen for 3 days.
Posted by Bianca D'Arc :: 8:01 AM :: 0 Comments:

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