“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”
– Tahereh Mafi
Nights aren’t not complete without the presence of the moon. Let’s get to know our nocturnal friend better with these fun facts:
1. It’s smaller than the Earth.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says that the radius of approximately 1,737.5 kilometers. If the Earth were the size of a nickel, the moon would just be as big as a coffee bean.
NASA added that around 30 Earth-sized planets could fit in the distance between our planet and the moon, which is 384,400 kilometers away.
2. You can’t live on the moon.
According to NASA, the moon has a very thin and weak atmosphere, which doesn’t protect it from the sun’s radiation or impacts of meteoroids. This is also the reason why temperatures on the moon are extreme, ranging from boiling hot to freezing cold depending on the orientation of the sun.
Astronauts who explored the moon were equipped with spacesuits that had several layers of insulation and equipped with internal heaters and cooling systems.
3. The moon is responsible for the rising and falling of ocean tides.
Around each new and full moon, the pull on the tides increases due to the gravity of the sun that reinforces the moon’s gravity. During these phases, the tides are at their maximum.
Meanwhile, during the first quarter and last quarter phase, the sun’s gravity works against the gravity of the moon. This is when the tide’s range is at its minimum.
4. There may be earthquakes on the moon!
NASA confirmed that the moon may be seismically active. This is based on data gathered between 1969 to 1972, when Apollo astronauts placed seismometers at their landing sites on the moon.
Because the moon is dry, cool and mostly rigid, moonquakes are continuous unlike earthquakes that usually last for half a minute.
5. The moon has its own festival.
The Moon Festival is a holiday in China and several Asian countries. It’s one of the most important celebrations in the Chinese calendar, traditionally held when the moon is at its fullest and roundest.
This event gathers families and friends that admire the bright mid-autumn moon and eat moon cakes. Moon cake is a sweet pastry with red bean or lotus-seed filling. It is believed to be the symbol of completeness and unity among families.
Photo by: Bobs Artajo, one of the Top20 Supermoon Photo Contest winners
6. The full moon has a different name each month.
The names of the Full Moon originated from the Algonquin tribes of Native America which was adapted by some of the Colonial Americans.
January – Full Wolf Moon
It is believed that this full moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger.
February – Full Snow Moon
Usually the heaviest snow falls in February, making hunting difficult.
March – Full Worm Moon
During spring, the ground softens and earthworm casts reappear. Also known as the Sap Moon, it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.
April – Full Pink Moon
This full moon signaled the appearance of the moss pink or wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers.
May – Full Flower Moon
Flowers become abundant during this month.
June – Full Strawberry Moon
The Algonquin tribes consider this moon as a sign of the perfect time to gather ripening strawberries. It is sometimes called as the Rose Moon.
July – Full Buck Moon
During this time, the antlers of bucks are in full-growth mode.
August – Full Sturgeon Moon
Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon, or a type of fish that lives in the northern part of the world, was mostly caught during this full moon.
September – Full Corn Moon
This corresponds with the time of harvesting corn.
October – Full Hunter’s Moon
This is the time for hunting as preparation for the long winter ahead.
November – Full Beaver Moon
This is the time when beavers actively build their winter dams in preparation for the cold season.
December – Full Cold Moon
This is the month when the winter cold speeds up.
7. The moon doesn’t have its own light.
The moon merely reflects light from the sun. The light that we see from the moon is an illusion of the reflected light.
Astronomers say it will take hundreds of thousands of moons to get the same brightness of the sun. Even when a moon reaches its full phase, it always shines with a lower magnitude that the sun.
8. The US first conquered the moon.
According to NASA, there were three men who first stepped in the moon. Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins were the astronauts on the successful Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon while Collins stayed in orbit around the moon, doing experiments and taking images.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon. He and Aldrin were able to walk around the moon for a few hours, picking up bits of dirt and rocks for experiments. They also installed a U.S. flag on the moon.
9. The moon has inspired idioms!
“Once in a blue moon” refers to an even that is rare, seldom or surreal. Blue Moon refers to the second full moon in a month. Normally, there is one full moon each month but there are also rare instances that a second one sneaks in.
This doesn’t literally mean that the moon turns into a bluish color. However, it is believed that during the 1883 Krakatoa Volcano explosion in Indonesia, people noticed that the moon turned blue. Scientists explained that this phenomenon was more likely because of the ash clouds that rose to the top of the Earth’s atmosphere.
10. Some people love staring at the moon!
If you are fond of staring at the moon, you may be a “selenophile” or a person who loves the moon. “Selene” is the Greek name for the Goddess of the Moon while the suffix “phile” comes from the Greek “philos” which means “loving”.
Sources:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
http://www.moonconnection.com
https://www.space.com
http://earthsky.org
http://aa.usno.navy.mil
http://seismo.berkeley.edu/blog/2009/07/20/quakes-on-the-moon.html
Heads Up! Be fascinated with these awesome and amazing Weather Phenomenon you might see one of these days here in the Philippines.
Weather is one of the most fundamental aspect of our daily lives. Changing over short period of time, weather still has a lot to offer for us to see. On this blog we gather some facts about rare yet awe-mazing weather phenomenon you must dream to see. Let’s Start!
Moon and Sun Halo
This phenomenon is a large optical ring forming around the the sun or moon. The ring is called halo. Halo are caused by ice crystals present in the atmosphere, wherein light coming from the sun or the moon reflect and refract on the tiny ice crystals creating a halo effect around it, it usually occurs when a high, thin cirrus clouds are present. This phenomenon is usually a signal that storms are nearby, because high and thin cirrus clouds are often indicators of rain.
Mammatus Cloud
Pouch-like in shape, usually develops underside of cumulonimbus cloud, mammatus is a rare type of clouds which forms when the sinking air is cooler than air around and having a high liquid water or ice content. Though this cloud is associated with thunder storm and its appearance may seems cause an extreme weather it is not necessarily an indicator of an upcoming severe weather
Though this cloud is associated with thunderstorm and looks like it will cause extreme weather condition it is not necessarily an indicator of an upcoming severe weather.
Raining of Fish
Fish falling out of the sky?
Yes, It’s possible, Fish Rain or Raining Animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon in which flightless animals fall from the sky. Scientist explains that this bizarre event usually occurs when a waterspout or tornado formed over surface of water occurs sucks almost anything in the water including fish, eels, frogs and other marine organism. Those animals can be carried by buffeting cloud even when the waterspout stops spinning.
Fire Rainbow (Iridescence Cloud)
Iridescence Cloud or now known to millennials as unicorn cloud it is a rare weather phenomenon appears like a distorted rainbow embedded in clouds. It occurs when there is a tiny water droplets or small ice crystals present in the atmosphere which diffracts and scattered light from the sun, creating a colorful rainbow-like effect on the cloud. This phenomenon is called cloud iridescence or irisation. The term comes from Iris, the Greek personification of the rainbow.
Lenticular Cloud
Also known as flying saucer cloud and sometimes mistaken for a UFO. Lenticular clouds are a stationary cloud forms at high altitudes in the sky. Usually appears in Mountainous areas, this type of cloud forms aligned or perpendicular to the direction of winds.
Those are some of the awe-mazing weather phenomena that one might dream to see someday. Most of these are rare and will only happen within a certain period of time with right weather condition. But if you’re in luck to see one these amazing weather occurrence take a moment to realized how astounding our nature is, to offer such beautiful sights for us to enjoy.
By Panahon TV Intern – Ramon Santiago
Last March 9, we were able to witness a Partial Solar Eclipse, thanks to clear skies. Tonight, it’s the moon’s turn to hold its own spectacle called the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
For the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse to take place, a Full Moon is required. Since penumbra refers to the shaded outer region of an object, during this phenomenon, the moon’s southern portion will have a slightly darker shade. This happens when the moon passes by the penumbra of the Earth. Its visual transformation may not be as dramatic as a Total Lunar Eclipse; still, it is an astronomical event worth observing.
The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse will happen tonight from 5:37 PM until 9:57 PM with its peak at 7:47 PM here in the Philippines. It can also be seen in Northern America, some parts of Southern America, much of Asia, Australia, the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctica.
If you wish to witness a Total Lunar Eclipse, mark your calendars—particularly on January 31, 2018. Next year, in 2017, two lunar eclipses will occur— the Penumbral and the second Partial Lunar Eclipse.
Thought it was a unique experience to witness a Total Solar Eclipse today, March 9, 2015 at 8:59 AM 10:14 AM in the Philippines, we only experienced a Partial Solar eclipse, wherein the Sun’s surface area was covered by the Moon by up to 80%. This is because this year, the Moon is positioned in between the Sun and the Earth–a position that enabled Indonesia, on the other hand, to experience a Total Solar Eclipse.
A Total Solar Eclipse is a rare phenomenon that happens once in every 18 months, and can be seen identically after 18 years and 11 days, which is also called as “Saros Cycle.”
Here are more facts about Solar Eclipses:
• Solar eclipses have 3 types: the Partial, Annular and the Total. The Partial Eclipse doesn’t cover the Sun completely. In the Annular Eclipse, the Moon is able to block the Sun, but the solar eclipse is surrounded by a corona or “halo” because of either two things: 1) the Earth is far from the Moon, or 2) the Earth is closer to the Sun. These circumstances limit the coverage of the Moon. The Total Eclipse happens when the Moon completely obstructs the Sun. The only thing visible in this phase is a fainter solar corona.
• The Total Solar Eclipse today has a maximum time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds. But last July 16, 2000, the Pacific Ocean, Eastern Asia and Australia held the longest recorded Solar Eclipse with 106 minutes and 25 seconds. Meanwhile, the Total Solar Eclipse that happened on August 13, 1859 had the shortest recorded time with just 3 seconds.
• The Lunar Eclipse can only be seen during the Full Moon at night, while the Solar Eclipse occurs in the daytime with the New Moon.
• When there is a Total Solar Eclipse, unfortunate are those who are in the North and South Poles as only a Partial Solar Eclipse can be viewed.
• For those who did not see the Partial Solar Eclipse, the next Total Solar Eclipse can be seen in the Philippines 26 years from now! Mark your calendars on April 20, 2042!
Source(s):
http://www.space.com/30669-10-surprising-lunar-eclipse-facts.html
http://www.livescience.com/32671-whats-a-solar-eclipse.html
Throughout history, mankind has been fascinated with the Moon. In the field of arts alone, the Moon is a constant inspiration, sparking the creation of poems and fantasy stories, love songs, and mythology.
Its symbolism is as rich and varied as its phases—a howling wolf’s shadow cast against a looming full Moon heralds terror, while a sliver of a Moon against a backdrop of brilliant stars spells romance.
But the ultimate proof of our lunar enchantment was when the United States ambitiously sent humans on a mission all the way to the Moon. On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin held the honor and distinction of being the first men to walk on the Moon.
To the Moon and Back
The Moon is the sole natural satellite of our planet. Second to the sun, it is the brightest thing in our sky. With its diameter of almost 3,500 kilometers, the Moon rotates in time with the Earth, facing our planet with always the same side of its surface, filled with craters and dark plains formed by prehistoric volcanic eruptions.
Once a month, it orbits around the Earth, altering the angle between our planet, the Moon and the Sun. Visually, this translates into the cycle of the Moon’s phases.
In local mythology, the most popular Moon-related figure is Bakunawa, the god of the underworld that comes in the form of a winged giant sea serpent. When a lunar eclipse occurs, Bakunawa is said to have swallowed the Moon with its humongous mouth, the size of a lake. To prevent the creature from devouring the satellite, townsfolk would bang their pots and pans beneath the night sky to scare Bakunawa into spitting out the Moon.
Mad about the Moon
It’s scientifically proven that the Moon affects our planet through the gravitational pull between them. From the vantage point of the Earth’s surface, one can see two bulges created mostly by our oceans (and a bit of the earth’s crust)—the outward bulge in areas nearest to the Moon, and the inward one in areas farthest from the satellite. This is how the Moon generally affects ocean tides.
Still, some believe that the Moon’s influence extends beyond pulling on the ocean’s surface. In connection with how the word lunatic got its name (from the Latin word luna, which means Moon), there are groups that argue that the Moon, particularly its full phase, causes behavioral changes in humans. This is based on the reason that since our bodies are 75% water, the Moon’s gravitational forces also hold influence over us.
Everything from suicides, births, epileptic and heart attacks, to crimes and injuries are said to be Moon-related. But according to livescience.com, there are no conclusive studies that indicate a definite link between such occurrences and the Moon. It even suggests that when strange events happen during the Full Moon, people tend to pay special attention to them, chalking them up to this particular lunar phase. But when the same events occur during the other Moon- phases, they are dismissed or forgotten.
A Salute to the Moon
In Hatha Yoga, which emphasizes the physical practice of yoga, the Sun represents masculine impulses, shown in sweat-inducing, active yoga poses called asanas.
Meanwhile, the Moon symbolizes our cooler, feminine side—the primary focus of the Moon Salutation or Chandra Namaskara, a fifteen-step sequence that is both gentle and introspective. Here are the slow, mindful steps to achieve the yoga sequence:
1. Stand tall and allow your jaw to relax. Maintain a soft gaze while picturing the Full Moon in your mouth like a soft, soothing lozenge. Allow the sensation of the Moon to drift towards the back of your head and hold it there.
2. Slowly inhale while raising arms overhead.
3. During a long exhalation, gently touch your brow center, heart center then finally fold forward, your palms touching the ground. Step back your left foot and drop your left knee to the ground.
4. Bend your right leg into a forward lunge and raise your arms while inhaling, palms in prayer position overhead.
5. Slowly exhale while lowering your arms, touching your brow center, heart center then the ground. Step back into downward-facing dog pose.
6. Inhale and drop both knees on the floor into table pose. Look up.
7. Exhale and go into child’s pose.
8. Inhale, go up onto your knees, lift your hips and spread your arms. While looking up, allow yourself to be filled with gratitude.
9. Exhale. After bringing your palms in prayer position overhead, touch the back of your neck with your thumbs. Settle back on your heels. Bring your chest toward your thighs and elbows on the floor. Extend arms in front of you and press palms on the ground.
10. Inhale and slide your chest forward, going into upward-facing dog.
11. Exhale and go into downward-facing dog. Bring your left foot between your palms and drop your right knee.
12. Bend your left knee while inhaling and raise your arms in prayer position overhead.
13. Exhale and touch your brow center, heart center. Step your right foot in front of you and fold forward.
14. Inhale and stand up tall. Raise your arms and press palms overhead to salute the Moon.
15. Exhale, allow your palms to touch your brow center, and let them end in prayer position over your heart center.
Upon finishing the sequence, close your eyes and picture the Full Moon resting at the back of your mind. Let its brightness fill your mind, its beam reflecting out through the point between your eyebrows. This sequence aims to calm, and is said to be safe for women undergoing menstruation and pregnancy.
In another yoga system called Ashtanga, asanas are not practiced during the New and Full Moon days. Practitioners believe that these days are “dangerous” because the Sun and Moon’s combined gravitational forces are on an all-time high, creating conflict. Yogis welcome these days to rest from doing their asanas.
The Trending Moon
The Moon has even gone as far as shaping fashion. According to skwirk.com, the first Moon landing influenced 1960s fashion, inspiring designers to use new and exciting materials such as plastic, vinyl and even PVC, a type of resin used in manufacturing garden hoses and floor tiles. Just imagine the creations crafted from these materials!
Fast-forward to today and the Moon is still making waves in the fashion industry, this time, in high-end watches. These days, watches don’t just tell the time, they’re also beefed up with other features that show different time zones and—you guessed it—Moon-phases.
These complications are usually a hit with women, the Moon-phase feature appealing to their eye for beauty.
(image from watchalyzer.com)
Meanwhile, Maurice Lacroix, a luxury brand of Swiss watches, boasts of pioneering Moon-phase watches in the 1980s—the reason for which was that some of the company’s clients based decisions on whether the Moon is full, waning or waxing.
Its modern version displays not only the Moon-phase, but also the day, the month, and of course, the time. Timepiece connoisseurs are sure to appreciate its built-in jewels such as sapphire crystal and silver gold.
(image from hodinkee.com)
So the next time you find yourself gazing at the Moon, take a moment and marvel at how this celestial body has shaped our culture, and continues to inspire us in ways both whimsical and scientific.
And if the Big Cheese could tell you how it feels about all this attention, it would probably say that it’s simply over the Moon about it.
Sources: Yogainternational.com, Joyisyoga.com, Nytimes.com, Mauricelacroix.com, Pinoy-culture.tumblr.com