It is said that the moon never changes, and in fact, from our earthly viewpoint that is essentially true. However, its appearance continually changes as the sun slowly rises, passes above the lunar surface, and finally sets about two weeks later. These two pictures, taken 24 hours apart, illustrate how dramatically the moon’s appearance canContinue reading “The Ever Never Changing Moon”
Tag Archives: Moon
Winter Crescent
The waning crescent moon graced the February morning sky as it faced the sun which was soon to rise. Even though the moon rose well before the sun, it was still low to the horizon, following the sun’s own path through the winter sky. #moon #crescent #sun #winter
Year’s End Moon
A waning gibbous moon, well past full, shyly peered between branches on this late December morning. The next full moon will be in the new year, bold, bright, and high overhead, as it travels the path that the sun follows in summer. May it be a good year. #moon #newyear #december #oldmoon #morning
Haunted Moon
Several years ago, just before Halloween, I took this photo of the Moon seemingly haunted by the season. It has moved on, as have I, but it’s spectre still lurks in my memoy. #moon #halloween #haunted
Moon and Jupiter
The full Moon rose ahead of Jupiter in the eastern sky to form a magical pair hovering just above the trees last night. Tonight they will be close together again in the early evening sky, and this time Jupiter will be higher than the Moon; well worth a look. #moon #jupiter
Passing Shadow
Yesterday the Moon passed in front of the Sun to produce this partial eclipse which I viewed using the Sunspotter telescope shown at the top. Some western states saw an annular eclipse where the Moon passed through the center of the solar disk to produce a “ring of fire” completely around the Moon shadow. SinceContinue reading “Passing Shadow”
Skinny Side of Morning
It was not surprising to see thin, waning crescent moon in the early morning, but Venus? Yes, even Venus shows phases as can be seen in the telescopic images above. It recently passed between the sun and earth, and was nearly invisible then. Now it is rising higher and higher in the sky and veryContinue reading “Skinny Side of Morning”
Morning Moon
It was too good an opportunity to pass up, so I stopped on this morning’s walk to take this photo. Earlier the stars and the thin moon had shone through the trees with the dark portion of the moon seemingly embraced by the grinning crescent. Now the glow of the rising sun has drowned outContinue reading “Morning Moon”
Just Passing Through
Yesterday morning the Moon passed by Jupiter on its monthly trek around earth. This scene will repeat itself over the next several months as we head into fall and on towards winter. Before long, Venus will rise in the morning sky as well and provide the opportunity to see the three brightest planetary objects inContinue reading “Just Passing Through”
Heading South
Clouds and hot temperatures persuaded me not to get out the telescope and observe the Moon and planets last night. Somewhere in the western sky Mercury, Venus, and Mars lurked in the evening glow, shrouded by clouds. The Moon’s path is now angling toward the south, tracing the route that the Sun will shortly followContinue reading “Heading South”
