OneOfOne
15-03-2006, 08:20 AM
Hi guys,
I just wanted to check that I didn't lead someone astray with an explanation.
We were on holidays last week and met someone from Germany who remarked on the moon looking different. She had seen the 3 or 4 day old Moon rising above the horizon and noticed that it appeared "different" to what she is used to seeing at home. With her broken English she tried to explain how it differed and I assume she was trying to say that it "curved the other way". My wife explained that it was because she was now in the Southern Hemisphere and the Moon is "upside down".
If we look at the rising (young) moon, we see the lit portion (at this time of year) extending from about 7 o'clock to about 1 o'clock. If you were at the same latitude, north, I expect you would see the lit portion extending from 1 o'clock to 7 o'clock...ie, the other way. If you were on the equator it would be more like from 9 to 3.
If you were able to fly (really fast), at this time from deep south to far north, you would see the lit portion rotate clockwise, if you were to look more carefully you would actually see the Moon "rotate" clockwise as the same part of the moon is lit in all locations at any time.
Of course, at different times of the year the lit portion changes its start and ending positions as the Sun heads north and south during the seasons.
Is our understanding correct?
Maybe it is a photo oppurtunity for someone to compile a montage of the rising moon (the same age) seen from several latitudes. Of course, some travel may be required!
I just wanted to check that I didn't lead someone astray with an explanation.
We were on holidays last week and met someone from Germany who remarked on the moon looking different. She had seen the 3 or 4 day old Moon rising above the horizon and noticed that it appeared "different" to what she is used to seeing at home. With her broken English she tried to explain how it differed and I assume she was trying to say that it "curved the other way". My wife explained that it was because she was now in the Southern Hemisphere and the Moon is "upside down".
If we look at the rising (young) moon, we see the lit portion (at this time of year) extending from about 7 o'clock to about 1 o'clock. If you were at the same latitude, north, I expect you would see the lit portion extending from 1 o'clock to 7 o'clock...ie, the other way. If you were on the equator it would be more like from 9 to 3.
If you were able to fly (really fast), at this time from deep south to far north, you would see the lit portion rotate clockwise, if you were to look more carefully you would actually see the Moon "rotate" clockwise as the same part of the moon is lit in all locations at any time.
Of course, at different times of the year the lit portion changes its start and ending positions as the Sun heads north and south during the seasons.
Is our understanding correct?
Maybe it is a photo oppurtunity for someone to compile a montage of the rising moon (the same age) seen from several latitudes. Of course, some travel may be required!