How do you think, if the moon were closer to our planet than now, what would it look like? But let's talk about everything in order.

Scientists are strange people. Sometimes they ask themselves questions that would never even occur to an ordinary person. , for example, developed the theory of relativity by fantasizing about how he would feel if he could travel through space while riding a beam of light.

While exploring various, we came across such an extraordinary study.

Scientists from NASA (National Space Administration) have created a unique thing. They were faced with an important question that urgently needed to be answered: what would it look like if it were only 400 kilometers away? Of course, it was impossible to wait, and the best minds in the world immediately began studying this problem.

Here it must be said that the International Space Station (ISS) is located exactly at a distance of 400 kilometers from the earth.

Thanks to computer capabilities, pundits tried to simulate a similar situation. We bring to your attention photographs and videos of this unusual hypothetical spectacle.

This is the view of the rising moon. Doesn't it look amazing:

This is what the moon would look like in the middle of its rise. Almost half of the sky is covered by this satellite:

Without any telescopes, you can examine in detail all the craters and irregularities on the surface of the Moon:

But at night this spectacle would generally amaze the imagination:

Of course, all this belongs to the category of science fiction, because if our precious satellite were really at such a short distance from us, then the surge of waves would be so strong that the land on our planet would hardly remain within its previous boundaries.

By the way, do you know at what distance the Moon is from the Earth? No? Then remember: this distance is on average 384,401 kilometers.

Finally, we offer you a video from NASA with a stunning image of what the Moon would look like if it were only 400 km from our planet.

If you like interesting facts and stories from the lives of great people, subscribe to. It's always very interesting with us!

Moon is a favorite object for astronomy lovers, and deservedly so. Even the naked eye is enough to get a lot of pleasant impressions from contemplating our natural satellite. For example, the so-called ashen light", which you see when observing the thin crescent Moon, is best seen early in the evening (at dusk) on a waxing Moon or early in the morning on a waning Moon. Also, without an optical instrument, you can make interesting observations of the general outlines of the Moon - seas and land, the ray system surrounding the Copernicus crater, etc.

Pointing at the moon binoculars or small telescope With low magnification, you can study the lunar seas, the largest craters and mountain ranges in more detail. Such an optical device, not too powerful at first glance, will allow you to get acquainted with all the most interesting sights of our neighbor. As the aperture increases, the number of visible details increases, which means there is additional interest in studying the Moon. Telescopes with an objective diameter of 200 - 300 mm allow you to examine fine details in the structure of large craters, see the structure of mountain ranges, examine many grooves and folds, and also see unique chains of small lunar craters.

Moon- a very bright object that, when observed through a telescope, often simply blinds the observer. To reduce brightness and make viewing more comfortable, many amateur astronomers use a neutral gray filter or a variable density polarizing filter. The latter is more preferable, as it allows you to change the level of light transmission from 1 to 40% (Orion filter). How is this convenient?

The fact is that the amount of light coming from the Moon depends on its phase and the magnification used. Therefore, when using a regular neutral density filter, you will now and then encounter a situation where the image of the Moon is either too bright or too dark. A filter with variable density does not have these disadvantages and allows you to set a comfortable brightness level if necessary. Unlike planets, lunar observations typically do not use color filters. However, using a red filter often helps highlight areas of the surface with a large amount of basalt, making them darker. The red filter also helps improve images in unstable atmospheres and reduce moonlight.

If you seriously decide to take up lunar exploration, you need to get a lunar map or atlas. At first glance it seems absurd, but a full moon is not the best time to observe the Moon. The contrast of lunar features is minimal, making them almost impossible to observe. During the "lunar month" (the period from new moon to new moon) there are two most favorable periods for observing the Moon. The first begins shortly after the new moon and ends two days after the first quarter. This period is preferred by many observers, since the visibility of the Moon occurs in the evening hours.

The second favorable period begins two days before the last quarter and lasts almost until the new moon. These days, the shadows on the surface of our neighbor are especially long, which is clearly visible on the mountainous terrain. Another advantage of observing the Moon in the last quarter phase is that in the morning hours the atmosphere is calmer and cleaner. Thanks to this, the image is more stable and clear, which makes it possible to observe finer details on its surface. Another important point is the height of the Moon above the horizon. The higher the Moon, the less dense the layer of air that the light coming from it overcomes. Therefore, there is less distortion and better image quality. However, the height of the Moon above the horizon varies from season to season.

Moon moves around the Earth in an elliptical orbit. The average distance between the centers of the Earth and the Moon is 384,402 km, but the actual distance varies from 356,410 to 406,720 km, causing the apparent size of the Moon to range from 33′ 30" (at perigee) to 29′ 22" (apogee). Of course, you shouldn’t wait until the distance between the Moon and the Earth is minimal, just note that at perigee you can try to see those details of the lunar surface that are at the limit of visibility.

Getting started observations, point your telescope at any point near the line that divides the Moon into two parts - light and dark. This line is called the terminator, being the boundary of day and night. During the waxing Moon, the terminator indicates the place of sunrise, and during the waning Moon, the location of sunset.

Observing the Moon in the terminator area, you will be able to see the tops of the mountains, which are already illuminated by the sun's rays, while the lower part of the surface surrounding them is still in shadow. The landscape along the terminator line changes in real time, so if you spend a few hours at the telescope observing this or that lunar landmark, your patience will be rewarded with an absolutely stunning spectacle.

What to see on the Moon

Craters- the most common formations on the lunar surface. They get their name from the Greek word meaning “bowl.” Most lunar craters are of impact origin, i.e. formed as a result of the impact of a cosmic body on the surface of our satellite.

Lunar Seas- dark areas that stand out clearly on the lunar surface. At their core, seas are lowlands that occupy 40% of the total surface area visible from the Earth. Look at the Moon at full moon. The dark spots that form the so-called “face on the Moon” are nothing more than the lunar maria.

Furrows- lunar valleys reaching hundreds of kilometers in length. Often the width of the furrows reaches 3.5 km, and the depth is 0.5–1 km.

Folded veins- resemble ropes in appearance and appear to be the result of deformation and compression caused by the subsidence of the seas.

Mountain ranges- lunar mountains, the height of which ranges from several hundred to several thousand meters.

Domes- one of the most mysterious formations, since their true nature is still unknown. At the moment, only a few dozen domes are known, which are small (usually 15 km in diameter) and low ( several hundred meters) round and smooth elevations.

As mentioned above, observations of the Moon should be carried out along the terminator line. It is here that the contrast of lunar details is maximum, and thanks to the play of shadows, unique landscapes of the lunar surface are revealed. Considering Moon, experiment with magnification and select the most appropriate one in the given conditions and for the given object.

In most cases, three eyepieces will be enough for you:

1) An eyepiece that provides a slight magnification, or the so-called search eyepiece, allows you to comfortably view the full disk of the Moon. This eyepiece can be used for general sightseeing, for observing lunar eclipses, and can also be used to conduct lunar excursions for family members and friends.

2) A medium power eyepiece (about 80-150x, depending on the telescope) is used for most observations. It will also be useful in unstable atmospheres where high magnification is not possible.

3) A powerful eyepiece (2D-3D, where D is the lens diameter in mm) is used for detailed study of the lunar surface at the limit of capabilities telescope. Requires good atmospheric conditions and complete thermal stabilization of the telescope.

Today, telescopes are freely sold and anyone is given the opportunity to see what changed the course of history - the surface of the Moon! Observing the Moon through a telescope is a rare pleasure. Even with a small telescope, craters, mountains, and other lunar structures are visible. On a full moon, the surface relief is best seen along the terminator line - the boundary separating the dark and light, illuminated and unlit sides of the Moon. That is, it is best to view the lunar landscape in places of dawn or sunset on this planet. When observing this planet through a telescope, it should be borne in mind that the Moon is the brightest celestial object ( after the Sun), therefore it is better to use a special lunar filter that weakens the light and allows you to see small details on the surface of the Moon.

Watching the Moon in telescope It must be remembered that the main obstacle in this case is not the light of city lights or the smoke of factories in winter, but the heterogeneity of the Earth’s atmosphere (near the horizon, the surface of the Moon is highly distorted, and therefore the best observations are obtained when it is at its maximum height in the sky).

In poor weather conditions, it is advisable to have eyepieces with different focal lengths (high magnification should not be used in turbulent atmospheres). In addition to this, you need to choose the right place from which the observation is carried out: it should not be illuminated (the light can be weak or red).

Best time for Moon observations– the third and subsequent nights after the full moon (At this time, the details of the relief are clearly visible). For example, on the third night, the terminator (the boundary between light and shadow) crosses the central part of the Sea of ​​Crises. Here, the mountains surrounding the sea become very interesting to observe, and the ring craters (Langren, Furnerius) are clearly visible. On the fifth night, when the terminator crosses the Taurus mountain range, the ring lunar craters Atlas, Hercules and Jansen can be observed. In the first quarter of the lunar cycle, the Sea of ​​Cold and the Sea of ​​Rain are clearly visible, with the adjacent Alps and Apennines, as well as craters such as Ptolemy, Alphonsus, Arzachel, Plato, Copernicus and Tycho.

What is interesting here are the light rays diverging radially from each crater. On the tenth night, Rainbow Bay, the sharp Jura Mountains and the large southern continent, densely dotted with meteorite craters, are visible. By the twelfth night, the craters Kepler and Aristarchus appear on the visible part of the Moon ( the brightest object, with rays diverging from it), the Schickard crater is clearly visible. During the full moon, when the terminator disappears, the entire part of the Moon visible from the Earth is clearly visible (the craters Copernicus, Tycho, Aristarchus, Langren and the crater Proclus, the rays of the craters Bessel and Ross). It may be possible to observe short-term phenomena on the Moon.

We are talking about the release of gas from craters and the resulting flashes. Bright flashes also occur when meteorites fall. During such phenomena, the outlines of objects change, image clarity and brightness change, and light or dark spots and dots appear. There are no exact explanations for this phenomenon, since it is believed that volcanic activity on the Moon has long ceased. Separately, there are such unusual phenomena as darkening ( peculiar spots floating on the surface of the Moon), as well as various auroras: blue-white (Aristarchus crater) and reddish (Gassendi and Aristarchus craters).

There may be many possible reasons for these phenomena, but they have not been precisely established. These could be: hot flashes ( leading to the formation of cracks), thermal shocks, magnetism, changes in albedo, ultraviolet radiation, tremors deep under the lunar surface, solar wind, etc. Another interesting phenomenon remains a separate object of observation - a lunar eclipse.

You can use binoculars for this, but a telescope gives a more spectacular picture. With its help, you can see how the shadow cast by the Earth moves across the surface of the Moon, which becomes a reddish brick color ( the effect of illumination by the earth's atmosphere) and not as bright, so you can see smaller parts of the terrain than usual.

Meade Infinity 50mm Telescope– an entry-level refractor with which you can observe the Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. It will be possible to see both the Pleiades star cluster and the Orion Nebula. The telescope is also suitable for ground-based observations. The main advantages of the Meade Infinity 50 mm are ease of operation and rich equipment. Everything you need for observations is already included in the package; you don’t have to buy anything additional.

Telescope mounted on an alt-azimuth mount. With its help, the optical tube can be moved vertically and horizontally. Targeting objects is simple and fast. And you can figure out the controls in just a few minutes. The tripod is made of aluminum, its height is adjustable over a wide range. If necessary, you can install an accessory tray on the spacer between the legs.

The package includes all necessary optical accessories. These are three eyepieces of different magnifications, which allow you to choose magnification in the range from 30 to 150 times. This includes a 2x Barlow lens, which doubles the power of the optics. And a 90° diagonal mirror, which correctly orients the image in the telescope and is used for ground-based observations. Additionally, the kit includes a disk with a planetarium program. It teaches you to quickly navigate the variety of celestial objects and introduces you to the basics of astronomy.

You can find out more detailed information about the Meade Infinity telescope here: to purchase optical instruments, we recommend our partner

> How to watch the moon

Moon watching: is it possible to see meteors, eclipses, aurora and comets, when is the best time to observe, cycles and phases of the Moon, map of the lunar surface, telescope, filters.

The Moon seems to be the most accessible object to observe in the sky. Sometimes it appears in the form of a thin crescent, sometimes it disappears completely, and on some days it shines as a huge sphere, eclipsing the stars. These are not the whims of the luminary, but the phases of the Moon and the distance of the satellite to the Earth, which changes as it passes along an elliptical orbit around the planet. We are accustomed to this night neighbor, so we pay attention only during periods of lunar eclipse. But the Moon hides many interesting objects. Below you will find out when is the best time to look at the Moon, whether you can see meteors and what interesting things are located on the surface. At the very end, admire amazing photos of the Moon with craters and seas. Don’t forget also that on the site you can use telescopes and observe the Moon online in real time.

The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth, which is also the brightest object in the night sky. The gravity there is 6 times lower than on Earth, and the difference between night and day temperatures exceeds 300˚C. A complete revolution of the Moon around its axis takes 27.3 Earth days. In this case, the rotation trajectory and its angular speed are stable and equal to the speed of its rotation around the Earth. That is why the observer constantly sees only one hemisphere of the satellite. The other side (the other side of the Moon) is always hidden from us.

When is the best time to watch the Moon?

Despite the fact that this fact, at first glance, seems complete nonsense, its veracity has been proven by the experience of thousands of observers. The full moon (moon phase) is a bad time to explore the moon. At this time, the contrast of details on the surface is reduced to zero, so it is almost impossible to see them. There are two periods in the lunar month that are conducive to research. This is the time after the new moon, which ends two nights after the first quarter. Here the Moon is perfectly visualized in the evening.

Lunar "evolution"

The second period begins a couple of days before the last quarter and ends on the new moon. At this time, the lunar shadows are so long that they are perfectly visualized on mountainous terrain. In addition, the atmosphere in the morning is much calmer than in the evening, resulting in clear and stable images with plenty of fine detail.

In any case, it is important to take into account the height of the Moon above the horizon. The lower the Moon is, the denser the air that overcomes the moonlight. This results in a large number of distortions and lower picture quality. The satellite's height above the horizon varies from season to season.

Before moon observations Determine the time of optimal visibility using any planetarium program.

The trajectory of the Moon around the Earth has the shape of an ellipse. The average distance between the centers of the Moon and the Earth is 384,402 km, but the actual distance constantly varies from 356,410 to 406,720 km. In this regard, the apparent size of the Moon also changes - from 29" 22"" at apogee to 33" 30"" at perigee.

Of course, the observer should not wait for the moment when the Moon is closest to the Earth. Just remember that at perigee you can study subtle features on the moon's surface that are hidden during normal times.

When starting a study, you need to point the telescope at any point near the terminator - the line dividing the Moon into light and dark halves. During the waning Moon, the terminator shows the place of sunset; during the waxing Moon, it shows the place of sunrise.

Photograph of the Moon through an amateur telescope. Image obtained through a 125 mm refractor

Moon observation at the terminator will allow the researcher to study the structure of mountain peaks illuminated by sunlight. At the same time, the lower part of the mountains hides in the shadows. The landscape near the terminator line is changing in real time. Therefore, many hours of observation of any attraction will be rewarded with a magnificent spectacle.

It is important! When exploring the Moon between the last or first quarter phases and the full Moon, turn on a moderately bright white light behind you. Of course, the light source should not be located in the direct line of sight, hit the eyes or glare on the eyepiece. This will allow you to maintain better daytime vision and see many details on the satellite's surface.

Necessary equipment

To observe the Moon and get high-quality photos, you need to know how to choose or buy the right telescope. The moon is an object with a very bright glow. During observations through a telescope, it can easily blind the researcher. There are several ways to make observations more comfortable by reducing the brightness of the Moon. For example, you can use a variable density polarizing or neutral gray filter. It is more reasonable to use the first one, since with it you can change the level of light transmission (1% - 40%). This is convenient because the level of lunar glow directly depends on its phase and the magnification used. And when using an ND filter, the image of the Moon will constantly change from too dark to too bright.

A variable brightness filter will smooth out these differences, allowing you to set the brightness parameter you want.

It is not customary to use color filters during lunar exploration. The only exception is the red filter, which can be used to increase the contrast of areas with a high basalt content. In addition, it stabilizes images in unstable atmospheres and minimizes lunar glare.

If you decide to study the Moon, purchase a lunar atlas or map. In addition, use the Virtual Atlas of the Moon application, which will provide you with all the information in preparation for your exploration.

For experienced astronomers, we offer you a more detailed moon map, where all surface formations are displayed:

(Image size: 2725 x 2669, Weight: 1.86 mb).

Details on the Moon depending on equipment

Since the Moon is located close to the Earth, astronomy lovers love to observe it both with the naked eye and with the help of special equipment. Thus, even with the naked eye you can see the characteristic ashy hue of the Moon, which is especially obvious in the mornings on a waning Moon and in the evening twilight on a waxing Moon. In addition, the general features of the satellite can be easily observed.

Image of the Moon taken through a 114 mm telescope + 2x Barlow lens

Using a small telescope or binoculars, you can take a closer look at lunar craters, seas, and mountain ranges. Believe me, you will find a lot of interesting things here!

As the aperture increases, the purely visible objects also increase. Through a telescope with an aperture of 200 - 300 mm, you will be able to study fine details on the surface of large craters, explore the structure of mountain ranges, and see numerous folds, grooves, and chains of small craters.

It is extremely difficult to calculate the capabilities of each specific telescope, since the state of the atmosphere plays a decisive role here. Most often, at night, the maximum limit of a large telescope is 1”. Periodically, the atmosphere calms down for a couple of seconds. And at this time, the observer must use his technique to the limit of its capabilities. For example, on a clear and calm night, using a 200 mm telescope, you can see craters with a diameter of up to 1800 meters, and using a 300 mm instrument - 1200 meters.

How to Observe the Moon

Typically, observations of the Moon are carried out along the terminator, since this line has increased contrast of lunar details. And the play of shadows makes the landscapes of the lunar surface truly magical. At the same time, you should not be afraid of experiments. Play with magnification and choose what will be optimal for your specific viewing conditions. Most often, you will need a set of 3 eyepieces.

A low magnification eyepiece, often called a search eyepiece. Used for comfortable exploration of the full lunar disk and general acquaintance with the sights on the surface of the satellite. In addition, you can use it to observe lunar eclipses and organize lunar excursions for friends.

An eyepiece with medium magnification (from 80x to 150x) is the most popular. Extremely useful in unstable atmospheres.

A powerful eyepiece (2D-3D) is used for professional study of the Moon with the maximum capabilities of optical technology. Can only be used in an excellent atmosphere and absolute thermal stabilization of the telescope.

Lunar through a 300 mm telescope and 2 Barlow lenses

You can increase the efficiency of your observations using Charles Wood's list of the 100 best lunar objects. In addition, read the articles in the “Unknown Moon” series, which are devoted to an overview of the attractions on the surface of the satellite.

Surely, you will be carried away by the search for tiny craters that can only be seen at the limit of the telescope’s capabilities.

Be sure to keep a diary of observations. In special columns, enter data about the time and phase of the Moon, observation conditions, the state of the atmosphere, and the magnification used. You can also make sketches here

What to see on the Moon

Craters are objects that dot the entire lunar surface. The term comes from the Greek word meaning "cup". Most often, lunar craters are formed from impacts of cosmic bodies on the surface of the satellite.

Lunar maria are dark areas that contrast with the rest of the Moon's surface. They are essentially lowlands, occupying up to 40% of the surface area visible from Earth. During a full moon, dark spots give the moon a “face.”

Furrows are valleys on the surface of the Moon. They reach many hundreds of kilometers in length, 3500 meters in width, and up to 1000 meters in depth.

Folded veins - outwardly look like ropes. They are formed as a result of compression and deformation from the subsidence of the seas.

Mountain ranges are mountains on the surface of the Moon. Their height varies from 100 to 20,000 meters.

The domes are the real secret of the Moon. There is still no reliable data about their nature. Today there is evidence of a couple of dozen domes, which are small (up to 15 km in diameter) smooth and round elevations.

10 most interesting lunar objects

T (moon age in days) - 9, 23, 24, 25

Located in the northwestern region of the Moon. You can even observe it with binoculars with 10x magnification. Using a medium magnification telescope, it is visualized as an amazing object with a diameter of 260 km and blurred edges. There is a scattering of small craters on the flat bottom of the Gulf

T – 9, 21, 22

It is one of the most famous lunar objects that can be explored with a small telescope. The crater is surrounded by a system of rays that radiate 800 km from the crater. The depth of the crater is 3.75 km, diameter is 93 km. When the Sun rises or sets over the crater, the observer can enjoy magnificent scenes.

T - 8, 21, 22

It is a tectonic fault that can be easily visualized with a 60mm telescope. The length of the object is 120 km. It is located at the bottom of an ancient destroyed crater, traces of which you will see at the eastern edge of the Straight Wall.

T - 12, 26, 27, 28

A huge volcanic dome that can be observed with a 60mm telescope or powerful astronomical binoculars. The diameter of the hill is 70 km, and its highest point is located at an altitude of 1.1 km from the lunar surface.

T - 7, 21, 22

A mountain range whose length is 604 km. It can be seen with binoculars, but for more serious observations you will need a telescope. Some peaks are 5 km high. And in certain parts of the mountain range there are deep grooves.

T - 8, 21, 22

Visualized with binoculars, Plato's crater is one of the most popular objects among amateur astronomers. The diameter of the crater is 104 km. “Great Black Lake” is the poetic name given to the crater by Jan Hevelius, a Polish astronomer (1611-1687). Indeed, with the help of an amateur telescope or binoculars, the object is visualized as a large dark spot contrasting with the light surface of the Moon.

T - 4, 15, 16, 17

A pair of small craters, which can be observed with a telescope of 100 mm. Messier is an elongated object with a size of 11 by 9 km. Messier A is a little larger - 13 by 11 km. To the west there is a pair of light rays, the length of which exceeds 60 km.

T - 2, 15, 16, 17

The crater is visualized through small binoculars, but only a powerful telescope with serious magnification turns it into an amazing object. The bottom of the crater is dome-shaped, dotted with cracks and grooves.

T - 9, 21, 22

It is one of the most famous lunar objects, which became known for its huge system of rays around the crater. The system extends over 1500 km. You can even see the rays with amateur binoculars.

T - 10, 23, 24, 25

The crater is oval in shape and is 110 km long. Excellent visualization in 10x binoculars. Using a telescope, you can see a huge number of crevasses, hills and mountains at the bottom of the crater. You will also definitely see that the walls of the crater are partially destroyed. At the northern edge is the Gassendi crater, which makes the object look like a diamond ring.

From the author

So what should you do if your skies are currently gloomy or you don't have any astronomy equipment? Our portal has taken care of this too. Presents to your attention an interactive tool that allows you to observe the Moon in real time.

Photos of the Moon taken by amateur astronomers:

Moon phase now
astronomical characteristics of lunar phases
and the position of the Moon in space online

The moon moves from one phase to the next on average in just over seven days, which is why there are exactly seven days in a week - this is a legacy of the first lunar calendars! True, the first compilers of calendars perceived the phase changes of the Moon as a given of nature, without going into explanations of the reasons for what was observed...

Moon phase now - Java Script widget

You can open in a separate window

Lunar phase calendar for the entire year 2019 on the page

Celestial coordinates of the Moon now:

Equatorial coordinate system

Moon's right ascension α : 22h 09m
Declination of the Moon δ : -15° 01’

Ecliptic coordinate system

Ecliptic longitude λ : 329° 05’
Ecliptic latitude of the Moon β : -3° 27’

Selenographic parameters of the Moon at the current moment:

Libration of the Moon by longitude L : 1° 00’
Libration of the Moon by latitude B : 4° 30’

Fraction of illuminated surface of the Moon: 99.6 %
Moon phase indicator (phase coefficient): 0,51

Coordinates of the point above which the Sun is at its zenith -
subsolar point of the Moon:
longitude of the lunar subsolar point: 354° 53’
latitude of the lunar subsolar point: 0° 54’

Longitude of the point of intersection of the terminator line and the equator: 84° 54’.

Description of the phase states of the Moon

The first ancient lunar calendars were based on observations of the movement of the boundary of light and shadow, called the terminator, across the surface of the Moon. At the same time, four fairly clearly visible visual states were identified, called phase transition points of the Moon - new moon, beginning of the month; first quarter; the full moon and the last quarter also have their own names and transitional stages of the lunar phases:

Table 1. Moon phases. characteristics of phase states from new moon to new moon

Phase states (stages) of the Moon	View of the Moon	Illumination and configuration	Visibility period	Climax time	Moonrise and moonset
Folk::New Moon, intermoon; birth of the moon; moonless nights. International: New moon (lit. New moon)		0-1% - the visible side of the Moon is completely in shadow The Sun, Moon and Earth lined up (compound)	Due to the proximity of the Sun, it is visible only during eclipses	Noon	The moon rises and sets with the sun
Folk: New Moon, Novik, newborn Month, sharp-horned Month, early sickle International Waxing crescent (literally growing month)		The right side of the lunar disk is illuminated from 1 to 49% Rays: Earth-Moon and Earth-Sun form an acute angle	From late morning to early evening	Afternoon	The moon rises after the sun with increasing delay
First quarter Folk: Half Moon, young Half, Edge International: First quarter (literal first quarter)		The right half of the lunar disk is illuminated (from 49 to 51%) Rays: Earth-Moon and Earth-Sun form a right angle	From noon to midnight	Early evening	Moonrise is exactly at noon, Moonset is at midnight
Waxing Moon in the second quarter Folk: Full moon, full month, Gone moon International: Waxing gibbous (literally growing humpbacked month)		Illuminated area growing on the right side (from 51 to 99% of the visible area of ​​the Moon) Rays: Earth-Moon and Earth-Sun form an obtuse angle	From afternoon to late night	Early night, late evening in summer	The moon rises in the afternoon, sets in the afternoon
Full moon Folk: Full Moon, round Moon, round Moon International: Full moon (literally full moon)		Fully illuminated visible circle of the Moon (illuminance between 100 and 99%) Sun, Earth and Moon on the same line (opposition)	Visible all night (from sunset to sunrise)	Midnight	The moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise
Waning Moon in the third quarter Folk: Defective Moon, Moon at a loss, pot-bellied month on the wane International: Waning gibbous (literally waning humpback month)		On the left side, the Sun illuminates from 99 to 51% of the visible area of ​​the Moon Rays: Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon form an obtuse angle	Visible from late evening to early morning	In the second half of the night	The moon rises in the evening with increasing delay and sets in the morning.
Third quarter Folk: Last Quarter, Senior Half International: Third quarter (or last quarter - lit. third or last quarter)		Exactly half of the Moon's circle on the left side is illuminated (50 ± 1%) Rays: Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon form a right angle	The moon can be seen after midnight and in the morning	Early morning	Moonrise is exactly at midnight, Moonset is at noon
Waning Moon in the last quarter Folk: Old month, old month, defective sickle, decline International: Waning crescent (literally descending month)		The left side of the lunar disk is illuminated from 49 to 1% Rays: Earth-Sun and Earth-Moon form an acute angle	The moon is visible from the second half of the night until the second half of the day	Morning	The moon rises in the second half of the night, sets in the afternoon

Folk names for the phases of the Moon are taken from Dahl's dictionary, as well as from everyday speech in the north of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
This collection is expanding, I believe everyone will be interested in messages about other popular names for lunar phases (forum - green flag on the left).

Libration of the Moon

Theoretically, from the statement that the Moon is turned to the Earth with one side, it follows that while we are on the Earth, we can see no more than 50% of its surface. Thanks to libration (the wobble of the Moon visible from the Earth), we can look at its poles, and get a little peek at what’s going on there on its back side; in total, 60% of its surface becomes visible to the eye!

The video image on the left shows the results of a numerical simulation of the librational motion of the Moon. The apparent motion of the Moon, which can be seen by an observer from the surface of the Earth, has been simulated (to enlarge the image, click on it - a new window will open).
As can be seen from the figure, this is a rather complex oscillatory-rotational motion determined by three components: the tilt of the lunar axis + the orbital motion of the Moon + the rotation of the Earth. Due to libration, for an terrestrial observer on the lunar disk only the zenith point of the earth will be stationary, the point above which the earth is visible at the zenith (blue circle in the center of the lunar disk), and the surface of the moon itself is in continuous motion (the libration parameters of the moon correspond approximately to the selenographic ones coordinates of the Earth's zenith point). The lilac continuously moving cross is the “Navel of the Moon”, the intersection point of the prime meridian and the equator with coordinates (0°, 0°). The cruise of the “cross” around the “circle” actually lasts a whole lunar month!

Libration by latitude

Thanks to libration in latitude, we have the opportunity to look in turn at the south and north poles of the Moon - during the librational movement, the Moon seems to either lean towards us or “try to look higher” (Fig. 1). Libration in latitude occurs due to the inclination of the Moon’s rotation axis to the plane of its orbit, which is also superimposed on the inclination of the orbit itself to the ecliptic plane. Total maximum amplitude A can reach 6.68° ( A= 5.145°+1.5424°), at the moment when the Moon is at the perigee point of the orbit at a minimum distance from the Earth.

Sergey Ov

Fig.1. Libration of the Moon. A librational view of the Moon is presented, in which the lunar South Pole and the eastern part of the far side of the Moon are visible (green vertical line).
When you move the cursor, a picture appears with an angle in which the North Pole of the Moon and its inverse western side (behind the white vertical semi-arc) are visible. The blue circle represents the point on the surface of the Moon from which the Earth is visible at its zenith. The lilac cross is a kind of selenographic “Navel of the Moon”, a point with coordinates (0°, 0°). (Traditionally, in everyday life the Tycho crater is considered to be the “Navel of the Moon” (due to visual similarity), but in our picture we have a real selenographic Navel!)

Libration by longitude

Longitude libration allows us to look at the far side of the Moon from the west and east, although just a little on each side (Fig. 1). The optical component of libration in longitude is the result of two phenomena: the unevenness of the orbital motion of the Moon and parallax caused by the daily rotation of the Earth.
During orbital motion, the Moon either accelerates and reaches a maximum speed at perigee of 1.052 km/s, then slows down to a minimum at apogee - 0.995 km/s, while the speed of rotation around its axis remains unchanged. It turns out that at perigee the Moon “does not have time to turn its center towards us” and is forced to show part of its reverse side from the east; at apogee, on the contrary, it seems to rotate faster, “in a hurry,” showing its reverse side from the west. The maximum amplitude of such deviations can reach 7.9°.
The parallactic component of libration arises due to the fact that the Moon and Earth in relation to each other cannot be represented as point bodies. The radius of the Earth (6371 km) is significantly comparable to the distance to the Moon - 384400 km!
An observer located at the equator, at the moment of moonrise, looks at it as if from the side by one degree (for the super Moon: Arcsin(6371/356400)/π*180 = 1.02°).
Isn't it an interesting phenomenon? - It turns out that residents of Moscow and residents of Vladivostok, looking at the Moon at the same moment, see it differently!

Sergey Ov(Seosnews9)

About the Moon and the phases of the moon in V.I. Dahl’s Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language

Moon and. satellite of the earth, a celestial body that circles the earth; month; | sometimes taken as a measure of time of four weeks. On the moon, Cain kills Abel; brother stabs his brother with a pitchfork. A clear, steep-horned moon in winter means cold, in summer it means buckets. A reddish circle near the moon, soon disappearing, towards the bucket. Two such circles, or one dim one, means frost; red, towards the wind; interrupted, to the snow. | Bonfire glow, lightning, any distant or faint shine in the sky. | Moon, meaning tongue, sound, hum, golk, see blow. | hole or pit. Lunar, related to the moon. Moonlit night - light. Lunar month, synodic, lunation w. 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes 3 seconds, a complete revolution of the moon, from new moon to new moon. Lunar year, twelve such months. | ....

Sickle... - ...Moon with a sickle, a narrow notch, a strip, a crescent, a -shaped

Full Full Moon Wed. the time when the moon is in opposition to the sun, when our earth stands between the sun and the moon, which is therefore illuminated in its entire circle, in its entire half; / the very view of a fully illuminated month. After the full moon comes the damage decline, vetukh, month for decay; then the last quarter; there is a new moon, a completely dark, invisible month; there's the first quarter, young month, newborn, young man, newcomer; then cut, profit, profit, and again the full moon./

The moon appears full for 3 days - on the day of the astronomical full moon, the day before the full moon and the day after.

Month When the month is born with its horns down(South), it will be warm in winter and hot in summer; up(on North), cold in winter, windy in summer; the horns are upward, but the lower one is steep, the upper one is sloping, then the first half of the month is cold in winter, windy in summer: if the upper horn is steeper, the lower one is sloped, then the same sign for the second half of the month.
Steep horns of the month - to the bucket; flat - to bad weather; a dim month - to wetness; clear, to dry; in the blue - to rain; in red - towards the wind; with ears - to frost.
The new moon is washed(about the change in weather on the new moon). Epiphany under the full month - to a big spill(perm.). If the month looks around in three days, then it will be all wet, and when it rains for three days, then it will be all stormy(thief.). God crumbles the old month into stars. The month shows how Cain killed Abel with a pitchfork(how a brother stabbed his brother with a pitchfork), spots on the moon. The month has washed, i.e. rain on young trees.
The month is born, young, new month, when the crescent moon appears after the new moon, during the first quarter; month in decline, old, dilapidated month, last quarter, decline.
Is there a crumb of bread over grandma's hut? - month. Who looks at the month(for weather, on the farm), it doesn't knead in the bowl. Look at the month(guess the weather ) - neither reap nor thresh. Look at the month - look into the bins(blank). It shines but does not warm(month), It’s just in vain that he eats God’s bread. No matter how the month shines, it’s still not sunny. Like a new moon: it will appear, but then hide again. What kind of month is this - when it shines and when it doesn’t! The month is in the sky, and the number is in the calendar. Gone like a young month. The red sun would be warm, and the month - as it knows. The sun would shine, but a month would be for nothing. If only a clear month would shine for me, but I would strike the frequent stars with a stake. And the moon shines when there is no sun.
The Russian month will wait(because I fell behind, according to the old reckoning).
The dog barked all night for a month, but the month didn’t even know it.
What else did you want(groom) there is a month in the forehead, but the stars are clear in the back of the head?
Around the clock, not a month; green, not oak; with a tail, not a mouse?(turnip).
Month, month, where have you been? - In the forest. - What did you do? - I tore the tusks. - Where did you put it? - Under the deck. - Who took it? - Rodion. - Get out! horse
Under the bright moon, under the white clouds, under the clear stars etc. fabulous. Monthly, related to the month, lasting a whole month or occurring monthly. Monthly light, Moonlight.

Moon - astronomical characteristics

Characteristics of the motion of the Moon as a rigid body:
The Moon is the only natural satellite of the Earth and revolves around it in an elliptical orbit, with the following parameters:
- semi-major axis: 384 399 km (0.00257 AU);
- eccentricity 0,05490 ;
- inclination (towards the ecliptic) 5.145° (min 4.99°, max 5.30°);
- period of rotation of the apses line: 8.8504 years;
- period of revolution of the ascending node: 18.5996 years;
- orbital speed: average 1,023 km/s ( min 0.995 km/s, max 1.052 km/s);
- sidereal period of revolution (by stars) 27,321582 days (27 days 07 hours 43 minutes 06 seconds)
- synodic period of revolution (according to the Sun) 29,530588 days (29 days 12 hours 44 minutes 00 seconds)

Distance from Earth to Moon: generally accepted average 384400 km:
- at perigee: average 363104 km ( min 356400 km, max 370400 km);
- at apogee: average 405696 km (min 404000 km, max 406700 km)

The Moon's own orbital period: 27,321661 days (27 days 07 hours 43 minutes 12 seconds).
Lunar axis tilt:
- to the orbital plane: 6.687°,
- to the ecliptic plane: 1.5424°.
Rotational speed of the Moon's surface at the equator: 4.627 m/s.

Characteristics of the Moon as an astronomical object:
- average radius of the Moon: 1737.10 km (0.273 Earth);
- polar compression 0.00125 (equatorial radius 1738.14 km, polar 1735.97 km);
- the circumference of the equator is 10917 km;
- the surface area of ​​the Moon is 3.793·107 km² (0.074 of the Earth’s area);
- estimated volume of the Moon 2.1958·1010 km³ (0.020 of the Earth’s volume):
- mass of the Moon: 7.3477·1022 kg (0.0123 of the mass of the Earth);
- average density: 3.3464 g/cm³;
- free fall acceleration at the equator: 1.62 m/s² (0.165 g);
- first escape velocity: 1,68 km/s;
- second escape velocity: 2.38 km/s;
- Moon albedo 0.12;
- average surface temperature: −53 °C ( min-233°C, max+123°С).

Apparent magnitude from −2.5 to − 12.9 (−12.74 average for a full Moon).

About the browser widget “Moon phase now”

The browser widget “Moon Phase Now” is created based on Java Script; all parameters displayed by the widget are calculated on the user’s side directly in the browser, based on the original time provided by the device.
There are three options for the Moon Photo widget - mini, "Photo of the Moon + informer" - widget and "Photo of the Moon + informer + selenographic parameters" - maxi.
If you do not click the "Update" button, the widget can work offline. Using the browser scale adjustments "Ctrl +" and "Ctrl -" you can arbitrarily change the widget's rendering scale, increasing or decreasing it to the desired size.
When you turn on the modes "Watch" And "Time Machine" it is necessary to remember that although this does not consume Internet traffic, browser-based online calculations of parameters and phases of the Moon consume energy resources your device, so you should not enable these modes for long periods of time on battery-powered devices.

The first thing that comes to mind for children who are interested in astronomy is to observe the Moon: with the naked eye, through binoculars or a telescope. What can you see on the Moon? What phase of the Moon is best to observe? Details are in the book "Amateur Astronomy".

Our natural satellite has always attracted attention. Its silvery light in the night seems mysterious and mystical to many. But astronomers have long discovered the true nature of the Moon - a frozen, rocky celestial body dotted with craters.

Currently, the average distance between the centers of the Earth and the Moon is 384,467 km (about 30 Earth diameters). It orbits our planet with a period of 27.32 Earth days. The change of lunar phases - new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter and again new moon - occurs on average in 29.5 days.

The former close proximity to the Earth and powerful tidal interactions greatly slowed down the rotation of the Moon around its axis, or rather, synchronized it: the Moon now spends the same amount of time rotating around its axis as it does rotating around the Earth. As a result, our satellite is always turned to the Earth with one side.

Getting Started Observing the Moon

The Moon is the closest major celestial body to Earth, and because of this, it is the easiest object for astronomy enthusiasts. Even with the naked eye you can see a lot of interesting things on it. For example, the so-called “ash light” (the glow in the reflected rays of the Earth from the dark part of the lunar disk), which you see when observing the thin crescent of the Moon, is best visible at dusk, early in the evening on a waxing or early morning on a waning Moon. Without an optical instrument, you can make interesting observations of the general outlines of the Moon - discover the contours of the seas and land.

Since the time of Galileo, the Moon has been accessible to optical instruments. Binoculars or a small telescope with low magnification will help you study the lunar seas, largest craters and mountain ranges in more detail. Even such a modest optical device will allow you to get acquainted with the most interesting sights of our satellite.

As the aperture increases, the amount of visible detail on the lunar surface increases, and observations become even more interesting. Telescopes with an objective lens with a diameter of 200-300 mm allow you to examine fine details in the structure of large craters, see the structure of mountain ranges, examine many grooves and folds, and see chains of small lunar craters.

How to prepare a telescope for observing the Moon

The moon is a very bright object. Its light, when observed through a telescope, often literally blinds the observer. To reduce brightness and make viewing more comfortable, many amateur astronomers use a neutral gray filter or a variable density polarizing filter. The latter is more preferable, as it allows you to change the level of light transmission from 1 to 40%.

How is this convenient? The amount of light coming from the Moon depends on its phase and the magnification used. Therefore, when using a conventional neutral density filter, the image of the Moon will often be either too bright or too dark. A filter with variable density does not have these disadvantages and allows you to set a comfortable brightness level if necessary.

You can also aperture the lens by placing a cap with a small diameter hole on it. This will also reduce the amount of light that enters the telescope and reduce the brightness of the image. If desired, the size of the aperture can also be changed (for example, by making several covers with holes of different sizes).

When observing the Moon between the first or last quarter phases and the full Moon, you can turn on a moderately bright white light behind the observer. Of course, the light should not enter the observer’s eyes and glare on the eyepieces.

This method allows the eyes to maintain daytime vision, which is more perfect than night vision. Overall, you will be able to see more detail as you use the full capabilities of your eyes.

When is the best time to observe the Moon?

No matter how paradoxical it may seem at first glance, the full moon is far from the most convenient phase for observing the Moon. The fact is that the Sun at this time is located strictly behind the Moon and shines “in its forehead”, the shadows from the mountains are short, and the image is not very contrasting. Of greatest interest for observation are the details near the lunar terminator - the border between the illuminated and unilluminated sides of our satellite.

The Terminator is the boundary between day and night on the Moon. During the waxing Moon, it indicates the place of sunrise, and during the waning Moon, it indicates the place of sunset. The hills lying near it and illuminated by the oblique rays of the low-standing Sun cast long shadows.

It is convenient to observe the surface of the Moon if you follow the terminator day after day, which gradually passes through more and more new areas, revealing their relief. You will see the tops of the mountains, which are already illuminated by the sun's rays, while the lower part of the surface surrounding them is still in the shadow. The landscape along the terminator line changes in real time, and watching how this or that lunar landmark emerges from the shadows or, conversely, plunges into it, will give you an unforgettable experience!

The most convenient periods for observing the Moon begin from 2 days after the new moon to 2-3 days after the first quarter, and similarly - 2-3 days before the last quarter - 2 days before the new moon.

What to see on the Moon

Craters are the most common formations on the lunar surface. Translated (Latin crater) this word means “bowl”. Most lunar craters are of impact origin, that is, they arose as a result of the impact of a cosmic body on the surface of our satellite. The largest craters are visible even with small binoculars.

Lunar maria are dark areas that stand out clearly on the lunar surface. The dark spots that form the so-called “face on the Moon,” visible to the naked eye, are nothing more than the lunar maria. The first astronomers who studied the Moon sincerely believed that there might be liquid water on it and that these spots were indeed bodies of water.

Subsequently, science has refuted these naive ideas. The lunar seas are lowlands that in the distant past were filled with lava, which solidified and gave them a relatively smoother appearance than other areas. True, as a result of continuous meteorite “bombardment”, which has been going on for billions of years, the surface of the seas was also covered with small craters. The seas occupy 40% of the total surface area visible from the Earth.

The furrows are lunar valleys reaching hundreds of kilometers in length. Often the width of the furrows reaches 3.5 km, and the depth is 0.5-1 km.

Folded veins are rope-like in appearance and appear to be the result of deformation and compression caused by the subsidence of the seas.

Mountain ranges are lunar mountains, the height of which ranges from several hundred to several thousand meters. They represent the edges of large craters or impact basins that have been eroded by subsequent impacts, leaving only portions of a wall resembling mountain ranges remaining. They bear the names of the earth's mountain ranges - the Apennines, Alps, Caucasus, Carpathians, Pyrenees, Cordillera.

Discussion

At what age do you think children should be taught astronomy?

Comment on the article "How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners"

How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. How to observe nature in spring: 7 experiments with children. Studying astronomy with your child. Restoring vision in children: 4 effective exercises.

How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. OkhoyaistnoE. That is, some special equipment goes around specific yards with separate collection and delivers it to factories?

How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. You can also aperture the lens by placing a cap with a small diameter hole on it. This will also reduce the amount of light that enters the telescope and reduce the brightness...

Look at other discussions on the topic "What phase to observe the Moon": How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. Observing the Moon through a telescope and binoculars. But I wouldn’t call this activity study. So, indulging the interests of the child.

Where does amniotic fluid come from? Let's start with the fact that the child floats in the uterus for a reason: around him, like around the astronaut, there is a kind of spacesuit - special How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. How my daughter was a woodpecker and an astronaut.

Look at other discussions on the topic “What plants to plant during the waxing Moon”: Do you have experience growing lavender? How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners.

How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. Amateur astronomy, lunar observations. Map of the lunar surface. Change of lunar phases - new moon, first quarter, full moon, last quarter and new moon again...

Of course the stars and the moon! So let's draw. If the child is already familiar with the theme of space, then our Drawing is for beginners. I draw something on them, what we love and anything else in general. Kids love it when mom doesn’t just stand on the sidelines and watch, but takes in...

Apparently, you are out of phase. We also have wiring done for overhead lighting. and we recently opened up the floor and observed the wiring of the lower floor. try going to the neighbors before they close the floor.

WE COUNT THE DAYS. By flipping through the tear-off calendar, you can choose the day to start losing weight in accordance with the position of the Moon in the signs of the Zodiac. How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners.

Weight loss and moon phases. Do you believe that it is harder to lose weight when the moon is waxing, and easier when it is waning? The best time for a diet or, the moon and diet... The fact that you need to monitor portions and calories and not eat after 18 every day is all clear. they say that when...

It does not depend on the time of year, day or phase of the moon. There could not be problems with Yura - I had to pay some price for snatching such a handsome man. So these are expected difficulties, it’s good that they are limited only to kindergarten.

How and when to observe the Moon: astronomy for beginners. At what age do you think children should be taught astronomy? My fascination with space has been since I was 3 years old. We watched all the cartoons, all the documentaries on this topic.

I'm inclined to believe this. In life, I believed that a new business should be started on a new moon, and there are definitely enough long-term construction projects started according to this correspondence. But for general cleaning (which lasts for several days), for example, it is better to start doing it in the last quarter, that is, in the waning quarter...

Under torture you became Tatyana, numb, frozen without tears. Barefoot in only a torn shirt, Zoya drove out into the cold. And with her flying gait she walked under the shout of the enemy. Her shadow, clearly outlined, fell on the moonlit snow. “...” How frosty!

Girls! I found a note in a search engine that the Japanese diet should be started on the new moon. Can you tell me what the moon is like now? As I understand it, there are 28 days in a lunar month? Then the new moon must be on the same day of the week? But no:((Why?

A friend decided to get her hair cut today, she asks me to find out which moon it should be done and when??? there was a new moon recently, it’s the fifth day, you need to get your hair cut now, during the waxing moon, then your hair will grow well. Look at other discussions on the topic “phase of the moon now”