I have observed and drawn the phase of the moon during august.
The moon takes about 29.5 days to completely cycle through all eight phases. Occasionally (about every 2.7 years) there are two Full Moons in the same month. This is referred to as a Blue Moon. Hence the saying "Once in a Blue Moon".
New Moon
|
The
side of the moon facing the Earth is not illuminated. Additionally, the
moon is up through out the day, and down through out the night. For
these reasons we can not see the moon during this phase. |
Waxing Crescent
|
During
this phase, part of the Moon is beginning to show. This lunar sliver
can be seen each evening for a few minutes just after sunset. We say
that the Moon is "waxing" because each night a little bit more is
visible for a little bit longer. |
First Quarter
|
During
first quarter, 1/2 of the moon is visible for the first half of the
evening, and then goes down, leaving the sky very dark. |
Waxing Gibbous
|
When
most of the Moon is visible we say it is a Gibbous Moon. Observers can
see all but a little sliver of the moon. During this phase, the Moon
remains in the sky most of the night. |
Full Moon
|
When
we can observe the entire face of the moon, we call it a Full Moon. A
full moon will rise just as the evening begins, and will set about the
time morning is ushered in. |
Waning Gibbous
|
Like
the Waxing Gibbous Moon, during this phase, we can see all but a sliver
of the Moon. The difference is that instead of seeing more of the Moon
each night, we begin to see less and less of the Moon each night. This
is what the word "waning" means. |
Last Quarter
|
During a Last Quarter Moon we can see exactly 1/2 of the Moon's lighted surface. |
Waning Crescent
|
Finally,
during a Waning Crescent Moon, observers on Earth can only see a small
sliver of the Moon, and only just before morning. Each night less of the
Moon is visible for less time. |
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario