Inconstant Moon

Columbia University's Astronomy Department Public Outreach hosts an astronomy lecture and observing evening every couple of weeks. Last night, Summer Ash gave a wonderful lecture on the Moon. She began with asking the question "What is a month?" A seemingly simple question with a rather complex answer actually, summed up in two words: it depends. Sidereal, synodic, tropical, anomolistic, and draconic - each measuring a different aspect of the periodic nature of our satellite.

Summer Ash & Camilla Corona

The Moon is one of my favorite objects for telescope and binocular observation. As Summer's title says, it is fascinating because it is inconstant. Every time one looks at the moon, it is different. Different phases, different angles, even different portions of the surface are visible due to the combined effects of eccentricity, inclination and liberation. The result, over the course of a month, one can observe more than 50% of the lunar surface.

So go out this evening and start your first lunar month! The moon is a thin waxing crescent setting at 7:30 pm.

Also check out these lunar resources:

• Moon Globe app 
• The New Moon: Water, Exploration, and Future Habitation by Columbia Astronomy Professor Arlin Crotts 
• The Moon by Seymour Simon 
• My NASA Moon YouTube Playlist 

Posted with Blogsy