Bananas.org - View Single Post

The Hollyberry Lady · 02-18-2011, 12:21 PM

The light of the slivery Moon...

Did you know...

As a result of all the sun - and earthshine bouncing, the crescent Moon's earthlight is older than its sunlight.

If the sun were to go dark suddenly, the crescant Moon would disappear at the same time, but earthshine would continue to illuminate the Moon faintly for three seconds.

The moon moves eastward in it's orbit around the Earth 13 degrees per day, or about it's own diameter each hour.

On The Wax:

After sunset, the crescent Moon's points, or horns, always aim directly from the sunset. Imagine the crescent as an archer's bow: The invisible arrow is aimed directly at the Sun, which is below the horizon. Each succeeding night at the same time, the waxing crescent sits higher in the sky and farther left, in an increasingly sideways orientation. The moon stays out longer before setting and becomes an increasingly nighttime (not twilight) phenomenon.

Simultaneously, the Earth-lit portion shrinks and dims. Earth is shrinking into a thinner phase of lunar sky. Just about 4 or 5 days after the Moon's "new" phase, it opens up more than a 45-degree angle from the Sun and is high in the southwest when twilight ends.

On The Wane:

At the age of 23 days, (the time since the last "new" phase), the Moon enters a 2nd crescent cycle. This waning, predawn sliver receives less attention than it's waxing evening cousin. Rising only after midnight, it appears monthly for 5 consecutive days. Seen only in the eastern sky, with it's points, or horns, aiming rightward (the opposite of the evening form), it heralds the dawn.

It's size foretells the time:

* A broad waning crescent normally appears between 1:00 and 2:00 am but occasionally around midnight.

* A slim crescent rises in full darkness, just before morning twilight.

* A thin sliver of crescent appears only in morning twilight and always low in the sky.

Only two Others:

Even through the world's most powerful telescopes, only two other crescents can be seen from Earth...those of planets Mercury & Venus. The dearth of crescents is because of Earth's location. We can see crescents only of planets behind us and the Sun. If we lived on Pluto, all of the planets in our solar system, as well as the numerous moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, would be lit from behind and appear as crescents half the time.

In winter, when the Moon's horns are sharp and well-defined, frost is expected. ~ Scottish Proverb

: )

02-18-2011, 12:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Hollyberry Lady The Hollyberry Lady 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15,161 BananaBucks : 1,320,737 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12,042 Times Was Thanked 11,326 Times in 5,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 102 Times	Re: The Old Farmer's Almanac! The light of the slivery Moon... Did you know... As a result of all the sun - and earthshine bouncing, the crescent Moon's earthlight is older than its sunlight. If the sun were to go dark suddenly, the crescant Moon would disappear at the same time, but earthshine would continue to illuminate the Moon faintly for three seconds. The moon moves eastward in it's orbit around the Earth 13 degrees per day, or about it's own diameter each hour. On The Wax: After sunset, the crescent Moon's points, or horns, always aim directly from the sunset. Imagine the crescent as an archer's bow: The invisible arrow is aimed directly at the Sun, which is below the horizon. Each succeeding night at the same time, the waxing crescent sits higher in the sky and farther left, in an increasingly sideways orientation. The moon stays out longer before setting and becomes an increasingly nighttime (not twilight) phenomenon. Simultaneously, the Earth-lit portion shrinks and dims. Earth is shrinking into a thinner phase of lunar sky. Just about 4 or 5 days after the Moon's "new" phase, it opens up more than a 45-degree angle from the Sun and is high in the southwest when twilight ends. On The Wane: At the age of 23 days, (the time since the last "new" phase), the Moon enters a 2nd crescent cycle. This waning, predawn sliver receives less attention than it's waxing evening cousin. Rising only after midnight, it appears monthly for 5 consecutive days. Seen only in the eastern sky, with it's points, or horns, aiming rightward (the opposite of the evening form), it heralds the dawn. It's size foretells the time: * A broad waning crescent normally appears between 1:00 and 2:00 am but occasionally around midnight. * A slim crescent rises in full darkness, just before morning twilight. * A thin sliver of crescent appears only in morning twilight and always low in the sky. Only two Others: Even through the world's most powerful telescopes, only two other crescents can be seen from Earth...those of planets Mercury & Venus. The dearth of crescents is because of Earth's location. We can see crescents only of planets behind us and the Sun. If we lived on Pluto, all of the planets in our solar system, as well as the numerous moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, would be lit from behind and appear as crescents half the time. In winter, when the Moon's horns are sharp and well-defined, frost is expected. ~ Scottish Proverb : )