Skip to main content

What happens to the moon as it goes through the lunar cycle?

The moon cycle refers to the moon's orbit around Earth. As the moon orbits the planet, we observe changes it its appearance; however, no real change happens on the moon! In fact, our observation of the moon's appearance is related to the changing alignment of the sun, the earth, and the moon.


When the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, we experience the moon as a new moonwhich looks as if...

The moon cycle refers to the moon's orbit around Earth. As the moon orbits the planet, we observe changes it its appearance; however, no real change happens on the moon! In fact, our observation of the moon's appearance is related to the changing alignment of the sun, the earth, and the moon.


When the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, we experience the moon as a new moon which looks as if no moon is in the sky at all. On the contrary, the moon is in the sky, but it not lit by the sun on the side that faces Earth (the opposite side is lit). During a full moon, the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, which allows sunlight to reach the surface of the moon that faces the planet. During a full moon, the sun illuminates the moon so that we experience it in all its brightness. It's important to note that no change occurs on the moon - it's only our experience that is changed.


Of course, the moon isn't full one night and invisible the next - it takes approximately 28 days for the moon to complete a full lunar cycle. During this time the moon will appear to go from invisible to full in a stage called waxing. After we observe the moon in its full form, we will experience the moon's waning period, in which the view from Earth is slowly lost.


To better understand the moon's lunar cycle (and our perception of it) visit the link below and check out the included chart.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Follow the relationship between Pi and Richard Parker. They endure over two hundred days of hardship together, but in the end Richard Parker leaves...

When Pi and Richard Parker are at the beginning of their journey, after Pi's family is killed in the shipwreck, Pi fears Richard Parker, but he is forced to find a way to co-exist with him in order to survive.  Over time the two develop a somewhat co-dependent relationship.  Richard Parker depends on Pi to feed him by catching fish, while Pi's will to live is bolstered by Richard Parker's presence.  Richard Parker recognizes that... When Pi and Richard Parker are at the beginning of their journey, after Pi's family is killed in the shipwreck, Pi fears Richard Parker, but he is forced to find a way to co-exist with him in order to survive.  Over time the two develop a somewhat co-dependent relationship.  Richard Parker depends on Pi to feed him by catching fish, while Pi's will to live is bolstered by Richard Parker's presence.  Richard Parker recognizes that he also needs Pi to survive.  At one point in the book, Pi's starvation and thirst reduce him to a st...
Post a Comment
Read more