Lunar Phases: The Dance of the Moon and Earth
She has inspired myths and guided the motions of farmers and fishermen through the ages, a magic above and beyond that Man has been entranced with for thousands of years. But do you ever ask yourself why it looks as if the Moon must change shape each month? It has something to do with the phases of the Moon: the various stages in the cycle of the Moon as it goes around Earth.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the science behind the lunar phases, their cultural significance, and how they affect life on Earth.
What Are Lunar Phases?
The Lunar Phases describe the several phases that the Moon goes through as it orbits Earth. In total, 29.5 days are required to complete the cycle. What the eight distinct phases really created by is how much angle does the light from the Sun take due to its movement around the Earth in orbit. From viewing Earth, we see shifting amounts of sunlit half which creates a procession of changing shapes.
Here are the most evident lunar cycle phases:
New Moon:
The stage of new moon has placed the Moon between Earth and the Sun. That side of the Moon on which humans on Earth could see is under shadow and thus cannot be viewed. That means a new lunar cycle has just begun.
Waxing Crescent:
As the Moon moves in its orbit, some of the sunlight falls on it to be illuminating which gives shape to the crescent. Here, it is termed as the waxing crescent phase because the illuminated part of the Moon increases with passing days.
First Quarter:
Half of the Moon must have been lit up. This brings us to the First Quarter phase, which is a quarter of the way through in Moon's orbit, and from this point forward on, we are able to notice what will come to be known as the half-circle shape.
Waxing Gibbous:
The bright side is increasing and the Moon is more than half-illuminated but not full. Sometimes it's called waxing gibbous.
Full Moon:
At this stage, the bright side of the Moon is fully lit up by the Sun. A clear evening or before sunrise, the whole face will be above the horizon as a bright, round disk. This is the lunar best phase.
Waning Gibbous:
This stage has fewer instances of sunlight illumination on the face of the moon, ranging from the Full Moon up to the waning gibbous.
Third Quarter:
Third Quarter The Third Quarter is also similar to the First Quarter but in this case, the moon is on its third-quarter part of the journey around the earth. In this case, the same half of the moon is again lit up but, in this case, half of it is also observable.
Waning Crescent:
Only a small crescent of the Moon is visible in the last phase before it reaches the New Moon. That's the waning crescent phase because this much of the illuminated portion is reduced until the cycle starts anew.
Why Lunar Phases?
The changes of phases in the Moon are caused by orbital changes in its orbit around Earth. As the Moon orbits the Earth, the light from the Sun reaches out to light up all the parts of the side of the Moon hence creating the cycles. Completion of the cycle is approximately taken 29.5 days-this means that sometimes in certain calendar months there are either 29 or 30 days.
New Moon: The Moon is positioned opposite to the Earth from the Sun. The face of the Moon towards Earth is dark
Full Moon: Earth stands between the Sun and the Moon. One full face of the Moon is lighted
Phases in between would reflect the transit from these two extremes, that is, as the Moon continues to move around the Earth.
Note also that lunar phases have absolutely nothing to do with Earth somehow casting a shadow on the Moon, something that can only occur during a lunar eclipse, but rather to sunlight falling on the Moon at an angle.
Effects of the Moon on Earth:
The phases of the moons have been culturally and practically relevant since the dawn of human time: from calendar calculations to tidal behaviors.
1. Tides:
Gravitational pull by the Moon affects Earth's oceans, which therefore undergo high and low tides. When it is extreme tides, the Sun, Earth, and the Moon are all placed in alignment at full or new moon. In the First and Third Quarter phases, the Sun and the Moon are perpendicular to each other that means neap tides will result, and also decrease the tidal range.
2. Agriculture and Farming:
For thousands of years, agricultural peoples have used moon phases to determine when to plant and harvest crops. Plant when the moon is waxing, which most farm calendars will advise, and harvest when it's waning. Apparently it is because the waxing moon puts out growth energy, and this is a time to harvest.
3. Cultural significance:
The Moon is integrally connected with many cultures and many religions. Many months in calendars are formed according to the lunar cycle, and many of them are built from that lunar cycle. For example, there are the Chinese Lunar Calendar and the Islamic Hijri calendar, both based on the lunar cycle. Full Moon usually marks an important date for spiritually meaningful realization - completion, illumination, reflection. In this regard, new moon indicates that the starting of something's process is complete, and intentions are set.
The Phases of the Moon and Our Emotions:
It is said that during a full moon, people change their actions and emotions. However, in scientific analysis, the results may vary but most claim to have been energized or restless due to a full moon. Some even speculate that the Earth's tides are affecting the percentage of water in our bodies, though this is just speculation.
Long before it became an object of scientific study and eventual conquest, mankind harbored a litany of cultural beliefs about the potential effects the Moon may have on emotions. This is maybe one of the reasons why the Moon has also become such a popular literary motif, standing for change, mystery, and transformation in emotion. Whether or not the Moon actually impacts our moods, it's taken its place in the human imagination for good.
Fun Facts About the Phases of the Moon:
A lunar eclipses occurs when Earth finds itself between the Sun and the Moon, creating a shadow on the Moon, during a full moon. This does not happen every month because of the tilt in the moon's orbit.
The Blue moon, on the other hand is a rare occurrence where two full moons coincide within the same calendar month.
The phrase that defines the activity which occurs very rarely, like a Blue Moon is "Once in a Blue Moon".
Dark Side of the Moon is a myth. There is no permanently dark side of the Moon. The Sunlight reaches every nook and corner of the Moon at different times while it is revolving.
Conclusion: Timeless Beauty of the Moon:
The lunar phases are a great reminder of the constant motion and balance in the universe. Whether guiding our lives according to the lunar calendar or merely gazing at the bright face of the Full Moon against the clear night, the phases of the Moon remain a wonder to behold and full of questions.
But let's back track to that evening sky when the moon was a faithful companion to the beats of nature, a living creature that modulated culture, emotion, and imagination. Next time you see the moon, take a moment to appreciate the science, beauty, and mystery of its phases.
