Observing the moon

1. Observing the moon Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, January 19, 2008 Theo Ramakers

2. Bad choice for my presentation! • Needed a lot of research such as: • Moon Observations • The Moon (Movies and the Web)

3. Researching the Web brings language issues: Such as:

4. Researching the Web brings language issues: Such as: • Is someone who is observing the moon a Lunatic

5. Researching the Web brings language issues: Such as: • Is someone who is observing the moon a Lunatic • While Observing the moon – Mooning?

6. A Mooney M20C Airplane

7. Some Lunatic is attempting to set a world record in Mooning Here in Brussels

8. Annual mooning of the Amtrac train in S. California

9. Even Santa tried to moon

10. Concluded that Larry did not want a presentation on how to observe those kind of moons • Went back in time more than a century attempting to learn about the basics of the moon

11. A study of the Sky (1896); Herbert A Howe:

12. The same book that mentioned the panic in Atlanta with Comet 17P/Holmes In 1892

13. A study of the Sky (1896); Herbert A Howe: • Alexander from Humbolt: People from Asia Minor say the moon exhibits a reflection of earth as if it were a mirror

14. A study of the Sky (1896); Herbert A Howe: • Alexander from Humbolt: People from Asia Minor say the moon exhibits a reflection of earth as if it were a mirror • This would be great: We could use Google Earth as a guide and map to observe the moon

15. A study of the Sky (1896); Herbert A Howe: • Alexander from Humbolt: People from Asia Minor say the moon exhibits a reflection of earth as if it were a mirror • In the minds of many, a human figure is outlined: Judas Iscariot

16. Man in the Moon

17. A study of the Sky (1896); Herbert A Howe: • Alexander from Humbolt: People from Asia Minor say the moon exhibits a reflection of earth as if it were a mirror • In the minds of many, a human figure is outlined: Judas Iscariot • The casual onlooker perceives a human face with eyes, nose and mouth.

19. Woman need their place also!!

20. Who said there was no life on the Moon? Rabbits can jump pretty far!

21. And Frogs can jump far too!!!

22. And Brother Toad is very close…….

23. But how Crabs swim to the Moon is a secret!! Primarily Pacific Region

24. Most Notable Phases of the moon: New Moon Waxing Cresent First Quarter Gibbeous Waxing

25. Most Notable Phases of the moon: New Moon Waxing Cresent First Quarter Gibbeous Waxing Full Moon Gibeous Waning Last Quarter Waning Cresent (Complete Phase: lunation)

26. The Phases of the Moon in a diagram

27. Observing the Moon • Constellations and Stars move across the sky in yearly cycles from East to West • The Moon’s sidereal orbit takes 27.3 days • The Moon’s phase takes 29.5359 days, • The Moon moves each day approx 12 degrees east against the night sky • Optimal Observation points of interest on the the moon change approx. 12 degrees each day. • Limiting conditions for optimum observation during a given month

28. Movement of the Morning Terminator from 1/19/2008 12:00 – 24:00 ET

29. Locations on the moon are identified in: • Selenographic coordinates • Moon axis runs through the North and South Poles • Lunar Equator • Prime meridian runs through apparent center of the disk with both longitude and latitude libration O • Coordinates are expressed in North and South East and West. (sometimes you might see + and - signs

30. Selenographic Coordinates

31. Selenographic Colongitude: • Points of Sunrise on the Moon • Location of Morning terminator in degrees west from the Prime Meridian • Sunrise at Prime Meridian concurs with First Quarter • Goes from O-360 degrees

32. SelenographicColongitude: • Points of Sunrise on the Moon • Location of Morning terminator in degrees west from the Prime Meridian • Sunrise at Prime Meridian concurs with First Quarter • Goes from O-360 degrees • Anything >90° West or East not visible from Earth, with the exception of Libration

33. Libration • Orbit of the moon is elliptical • Rotation is constant • Speed is sometimes faster, sometimes slower

34. Libration • Orbit of the moon is elliptical • Rotation is constant • Speed is sometimes faster, sometimes slower • So the moon is: • Sometimes a little ahead, • sometimes a little behind

35. Libration • Orbit of the moon is elliptical • Rotation is constant • Speed is sometimes faster, sometimes slower • So the moon is: • Sometimes a little ahead, • sometimes a little behind • Moon’s orbit is inclined to Earth’s orbital plane • Appears to nod up and down • Net exposure 7 53 East and West; 6 51 North and South

36. Example of Libration between January 8 and February 4, 2008

37. Observing the moon • Observe details at times when they are most distinct (Highest contrast) for the object you want to see/capture (Objects near terminator)

38. Observing the moon • Observe details at times when they are most distinct (Highest contrast) for the object you want to see/capture • Make the moon part of a special configuration with other celestial or earth objects

39. Different ways to observe the moon • Observe details at times when they are most distinct (Highest contrast) for the object you want to see/capture • Make the moon part of a special configuration with other celestial or earth objects • Make many images, increasing the chance of having an extraordinary image

40. Day 3 Image Courtesy Jim Honeycut

41. Day 4 Image Courtesy Jim Honeycut

42. Day 5 Image Courtesy Jim Honeycut

43. Day 10 Image Courtesy Jim Honeycut

44. Full Moon Image Courtesy Jim Honeycut

45. To get the best out of your Moon observations: Use a good Atlas Determine when the object is visible Use Filters to bring out contrast Verify the Phase of the moon (Observation time) You can observe some features during daytime Plan the observations in advance Anticipate what you will see

46. Online Moon Atlas: http://www.inconstantmoon.com/atlas.htm The images in the following slides have been obtained From : instantconstantmoon.com See website for credits.

47. Moon Basins or Mare

48. Bright Spots on the Moon

49. Craters and Other points of interest

50. Use “Reverse View” Technology to view the Far Side of the Moon 