Hi
This is probably not the best forum to post this question, but I have not been able to find a better one.
The question is, what part of the world sees the new moon first? The east or the west.
Appreciate any response.
Narmi
RE: Questions about the moon
Interesting question. Since time starts at Greenwich and anything along that longitude, I would first say the east. But I know we have a local town where the time line goes down main street. Even though I am standing on the west side of the time line, I can 'see' the horizon is in a different time zone that is east of me. Since time starts when the sun is overhead at Greenwich, a full moon would be seen exactly 180 degrees away.I would be standingwherewest meets east The movement of the moon is from east to west but I would be able to see it for six hours before it is officially in the east so it appeared in the west first? I have no idea if this is accurate or not. I am just thinking it through. Now if I am at either of the poles on a specific day and it is night all night long which happen once a year, I wonder what phase the moon is on that day. Does that change everything?
RE: Questions about the moon
To be honest, I do not understand the question. By 'east' and 'west', do you mean the Eastern and the Western hemisperes, viz a vi the Grenwich Meridian?
Anyway, in practice, no one can see the New Moon as of course it's defined as when the Moon's face turned towards the Earth is completely non-illuminated by the Sun. When the Moon and the Sun are in the same plane, an eclipse occurs.
The Moon and the Sun will be substantially in the same place in the sky at new Moon and so the New Moon will be seen first in the East, along with the Sun.
Leo
RE: Questions about the moon
Duh!! I was thinking the full moon not a new moon. Gee, this is a little like the "if a tree falls". I agree, we don't "see" the new moon and it would be in the east as it rising will coincide with the sun or at least be close. So what about the full moon?
RE: Questions about the moon
ORIGINAL: Leonardo
When the Moon and the Sun are in the same plane, an eclipse occurs.
Actually, when the moon and the sun are in the same place, the moon (and the Earth) would be frazzled to oblivion, and quite a lot of other damage would ensue in the solar system too. 😉
(Sorry, couldn't help it. It is your bday! :))
Aragorn x