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Old 24-01-2011, 11:33 AM
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Robh (Rob)
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Blue Mountains, Australia
Posts: 1,338
Warren,

On any night or day, the change in orientation occurs mainly due to the rotation of the Earth. Whether night or day is irrelevant. If the Moon passed directly overhead, features near bottom as it rises would appear near top as it sets. If the Moon arcs across at a lower angle, its features will appear to rotate anti-clockwise for us from rise to set but only through a certain angle.

See attached diagram. Draw the rising Moon (right of page) on a piece of paper in the orientation shown. Hold the page from top in front of you, then rotate the paper at a low angle to your left behind you (hand will be to left of page), you will see the orientation of the setting Moon (left of page).

Regards, Rob
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