I am game to show my ignorance but I was looking at the moon at night and then in the day and I noticed that it is different from night to day I must have seen it before but not taken much notice at night it is like it is in the first picture and in the day it was like it is in the second picture. I know this is probably something I should be able to reason out but it just has me stumped
Last edited by supernova1965; 24-01-2011 at 10:12 AM.
Reason: spelling
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).
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
Thanks that is crystal clear now I really appreciate the reply
. I know this is probably something I should be able to reason out but it just has me stumped
