As I recollect why I started this writing this blog
in the first place, it was to create a venue for conversation with my kids and
grandkids about my mental pondering and travel activities that I thought might be of interest to
them. And, to be completely
honest, I thought I'd finally found a way for me to enjoy journaling (and, I
have). On a minute-by-minute basis
my brain wanders through fields of flowers and brambles; I’d like to share some
of those expeditions in writing.
Alas, I am not a poet or a lyricist and I don’t often stick with one train
of thought for very long. But, some of
the pondering in my head is in alignment with that of others; to make note is
to invite conversation.
I’ve started keeping some of that pondering in written form, for whomever cares to hitch a ride with me on this magic
carpet. No two will share all the same topics of interest; that's okay; they can come along for the ride or wait for another voyage opportunity.
Phases of the Moon
From time to time during this North American RV
adventure I step outside Floribunda in the evening and notice / photograph the
moon in whatever phase is present at the time. It's made me think about “Phases of the
Moon” in general. Remember, I’m an
Internet-surfing-junkie; this particular pondering took a couple of sprightly clicks
and there’s more information than I can possibly cover in one lifetime.
Looks complicated, doesn't it? It’s really not . . .
With the Earth at the center of the diagram, notice the moon’s 8 key stages as it orbits around our planet. Remember that the moon orbits the
Earth and the Earth orbits the Sun. Notice the sunlight coming from the right side of the diagram; an important
detail to keep in mind is that exactly one half of the moon is illuminated by
the sun at all times. The various
phases of the moon, as we see them, are dependent on the effect of the shadow the
Earth casts on the moon at any particular time.
In reality, the shadowed portion of the moon, during its revolution
around Earth, like the new moon, is not visible to us.
(It’s outlined for diagramming purposes only).
The dotted line in the diagram is a representation
of our line of sight from here on Earth. Voyagers in space would have a different perspective during their travels.
For understanding the waning gibbous, third
quarter, and waning crescent phases, you have to mentally stand on your head to
imagine the line of sight; and, when you do you’ll notice that the illuminated
portion is to your left – just as you see it in the image.
Phases of the
Moon and Some Definitions:
Crescent: refers to phases where the moon is LESS than half illuminated
Gibbous: refers to phases where the moon is MORE than half illuminated
Waxing: essentially means GROWING or expanding in illumination
Waning: means SHRINKING or decreasing in illumination
New moon: occurs when
the moon is located directly between the Earth and the Sun. The sun is illuminating the backside of
the moon and we can’t see it from
Earth.
Full moon:
again the moon, Sun and Earth are in approximate alignment but the side
of the moon that the Sun’s illuminating is facing the Earth and we see it brightly and clearly.
It’s the maximum illumination of the moon we can appreciate.
First quarter and third quarter moons:
frequently referred to as half moons, occur when the moon is at a right angle (90
degrees) with respect to the Earth and the Sun. At these phases we’re seeing exactly half of the moon, while
the second half is in shadow.
Once you understand those four key moon phases, the
phases between should be fairly easy to visualize, as the illuminated portion
gradually transitions between them.
Thus you can simply combine the two words to create
the phase name, as follows:
After a new moon, the sunlit portion is
increasing, but less than half, so it is waxing crescent. After the first quarter, the sunlit portion is
still increasing, but now it is more than half, so it is waxing gibbous. After the full moon (maximum illumination), the
light continually decreases. So the waning gibbous phase occurs next. Following the third quarter is
the waning crescent, which
wanes until the light is completely gone -- a new moon.
To be continued . . . Have I lost you?
Lots of information for this post from MoonConnection, Wikipedia, Planets for Kids.
Who got to eat the parts of the cookies that are missing?
ReplyDeleteHmmm. That's one of the perks for doing all the homework!!! When you get the chance send me an email of your itinerary, Dave.
DeleteIt's like living on a giant cupcake! Nice post, pure lunacy!
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy, Peter. I looked up the origin of the word LUNACY:
DeleteORIGIN mid 16th cent. (originally referring to insanity of an intermittent kind attributed to changes of the moon): from lunatic + -acy.
As I mentioned in the post I love to wander throughout the Internet for bits and pieces of knowledge, curiosity salving and just plain nosiness. If you like it I'll continue to include them from time to time.
Do we have to wait for "Blue Moon"?
ReplyDeleteYou saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Etc.
Aaahh, Ella. What a voice.
DeleteI remember researching all this information not long ago - I couldn't remember the waxing/waning part.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: do your family members follow your blog? Many of us have found they don't. My daughter did at first, but she doesn't follow along now. I find my readers are fellow RVers or wishers or planners. Which makes sense, since we all live in the same kind of world, or want to, and our families don't. I found that interesting.
That's pretty much what I've found. My hope is now that "someday" they may want to find something and will look. My oldest granddaughter, Quinn, told me last night that she follows once in a while. Also, my son, Jeff, has left comments from time to time. But, their lives are busy with beginning careers (grandchildren) and paying bills (Jeff and daughter, Kari) and traveling (son Spencer) they're just not relaxed enough to check in much.
ReplyDeleteI must say I hadn't expected to make as many friends as I have since I entered this home on wheels lifestyle. Have a great day!
I did the phases of the moon oreo project in my class this year!! My students LOVED it! :)
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