Why Is It So?

[Dennis G]

I opened Ice In Space Moon phases and half the pics of the moon are back to front. Well that is as I see the moon up there in the sky. Scanning the Sky and Telescope Mag., page 90, MOON PHASES MAPS, I was able to regain confidence in my sight to find the moon is shown as I see it. Charles Wood prints the moon upside down, but as much as I enjoy his presentation, I can excuse that, after all we Aussies have a different out-look to Americans. But it doesn’t end there. I purchased a copy of: Western Australian Astronomy-A Practical Guide To The Night Sky, at the local book sale and disappointedly found the moon is shown upside down, Trying to identify what I had recorded with the Toucam I opened The Lunar Republic Soc’s web page to find the moon had returned to the right way up, even if the enlarged pics don’t match up.
Any Comments regarding the S&T Moon Phase Maps? And in closing, I have to admit the I I S moon data is terrific, even if the moon is back to front! Thanks Mic.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

Dennis the problem is that there really isn't one single "correct way up" for people who are observing the moon. Please let me explain....

If you are observing the moon above the eatern horizon then the 'north" end of the moon is on the left - but once it crosses the sky and sits above the western horizon the "north" end is on the right had side of the moon. From your viewpoit it has rotated 180 degrees.

If you are viewing the moon through binoculars it will appear as it does to the naked eye - ie what is up appears up, etc.

If you are viewing the moon though a refractor type telescope then the image will be upside down - unless of course you are using a 45 degree diagonal, etc, in which case the image is corrected.

If you are viewing the moon through a reflector type telescope then up and down are still up and down, but left and right are reversed, ie mirror imaged again.

As you say it changes again depending on which hemisphere you are located as well.

To prevent publishers, etc from having to display numerous different variants most pic one viewpoint and stick with it, and I guess I can't blame them for that. Once you learn to orient yourself from a few basic large features you should be able to find or way around ok.

I hope this has helped.

I find this page useful for moon phases - at least you can correct for northern or southern hemisphere

http://www.tutiempo.net/en/moon/phases_4_2007_S.htm

Cheers!
Steve

[Dennis G]

Thanks Steve, much appreciated.
Dennis G