Saturday, January 28, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Some fascinating things you may not know about the Moon

Pecier DecierdobyPecier Decierdo
January 27, 2019, 12:20 am
in Opinion, Sounds of Science
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

Some fascinating things you may not know about the MoonThe Moon was in the news a lot lately. Earlier this week, half of the world was treated to a total lunar eclipse. People on that side of the world, which did not include the Philippines, saw the Moon get darkened by the Earth’s shadow.

Weeks ago, we also got news that China successfully landed a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon. The far side of the Moon is the side of the Moon we never see from Earth.

Because of its familiarity, we often take the Moon for granted. Which is why it might be nice to go through some fascinating things about the Moon some of you might not know.

One of the most common misconceptions about the Moon is that it is a nighttime object. The drawing of a crescent moon in the sky is often a shorthand indicating the scene being depicted is at night. (In this essay, I will be capitalizing ‘Moon’ when referring to the celestial object and not capitalizing when referring to a ‘moon’ phase.)

The Moon is actually just as present during the daytime as during the nighttime. In cultures where the calendars are based on the phases Moon, this fact is more commonly known.

ADVERTISEMENT

The location of the Moon relative to the Sun depends on the phase of the Moon. During a full moon, the Moon is in the opposite side of the sky as the Sun. It rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. This means that the full moon is a completely nighttime object.

However, during a first quarter moon (half-moon), the Moon is perpendicular to the Sun in the sky. This means that it rises during noontime and is visible in the sky throughout the afternoon. By sunset, the first quarter moon will be high above the sky. It will set at around midnight.

During the last quarter moon (the other half-moon), the Moon rises at midnight. By sunrise, the Moon is high in the sky. It will set at around noon.

Speaking of the phases of the Moon, many of the world’s calendars are based on them. The months, especially, are based on the Moon’s phases.

One example of a lunar calendar is the ecclesiastical calendar on which Christian feast days and celebrations are determined. When Holy Week will fall, for instance, is computed using the phases of the Moon. According to church tradition, Easter is the Sunday after the ecclesiastical full moon that falls after March 21. (March 21 is the approximate date of the equinox.)

The Chinese calendar is also based on the phases of the Moon. In most years, Chinese New Year falls on the new moon closest to the traditional start of spring.

The phases of the Moon are a result of the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. At any given time, half of the Moon is lit by the Sun. But because the Moon moves around the Earth, we see the light side from different angles.

During a full moon, we see the light side of the Moon full on, with the opposite side of the Moon completely dark. During a crescent moon, we see the light side of the Moon at an angle. During half moon, we see half of the light side of the Moon. Meanwhile, during a new moon, the light side of the Moon is on the other side.

Speaking of sides of the Moon, there is no such thing as “the dark side of the Moon” (aside from the Pink Floyd album, of course). There is, instead, the half of the Moon that is dark and light changes throughout the month.

Even though there is no permanently dark side of the Moon, the Moon has a permanent far side. The far side of the Moon is the side of the Moon we never get to see from Earth. Only a handful of astronauts during NASA’s Apollo missions got to see that side of the Moon that always points away from Earth.

The Moon has a permanent far side and near side because it moves in a very peculiar way: it rotates (spins) as fast as it moves around the Earth (revolves). The result of this is that the Moon shows the same side to the Earth all of the time (although it wobbles a little bit). In the language of astronomy, we say that the Moon is “tidally locked” to the Earth.

And this brings us back to the relationship between the Moon and Earth. Aside from raising the ocean tides, scientists think the Moon has a stabilizing effect on the Earth, so much so that life as we know it would probably be not possible if the Earth did not have a Moon.

The next time you see the Moon, think about how our skies, and our lives, would be so different without it.

Tags: columnEarthHoly WeekMoon
ADVERTISEMENT
Pecier Decierdo

Pecier Decierdo

Related Posts

More opportunities for Pinoy boxers

byManila Standard
January 28, 2023, 12:20 am
0
8
More opportunities for Pinoy boxers

Games and Amusement Board chairman Richard Clarin recently visited Thailand to watch Filipino boxers fight for regional titles. It provided...

Read more

Why POGOs must be banned

byEmil Jurado
January 28, 2023, 12:15 am
0
8
A tribute to Bob Garon

"It would do well for BBM to get advice from veteran AFP generals, since they have been there and done...

Read more

Justice delayed is justice denied (Part 2)

byTony La Viña
January 28, 2023, 12:10 am
0
8
Christmas path to peace

"The basic principle is that no one should be deprived of liberty unless there has been a trial and final...

Read more

In the end, PH loses in POGO and other gambling operations

byManila Standard
January 28, 2023, 12:05 am
0
8
RSA: Mr. Malasakit, the environmentalist

"POGOs and other forms of online gambling have to stop. Because at the end of the day, the country only...

Read more

Is the world about to ignite World War III?

byRod Kapunan
January 28, 2023, 12:00 am
0
8
Inauspicious moment for a democracy summit

“Knowing the psychological thinking of the West, it seems the West are eager to send their weapons to Ukraine as...

Read more

Beijing says one thing and does another

byManila Standard
January 27, 2023, 12:20 am
0
8
Beijing says one thing and does another

Upon his return to the country from a three-day state visit to China where he met with Chinese President Xi...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Sneakers for Makati : AB4.0
  • ICC reopens drug war probe
  • High Tribunal upholds TRAIN law, affirms its constitutionality
  • SC rules as illegal banning losing bets in previous poll as party-list nominees
  • PBBM meets Senate, House heads to push legislative plan
  • 3rd straight week of fuel price hike up
  • Marcos accepts Macron invite for state visit to France
  • DepEd taps PNP for school security

Advertisement

Latest News

3rd straight week of fuel price hike up

byAlena Mae S. Flores
January 28, 2023, 1:20 am
0
8
Price cuts on kerosene, diesel, but gas unchanged

Domestic fuel pump prices are likely to go up by around P1.50 to P1.60 per liter for gasoline and kerosene...

Read more

Marcos accepts Macron invite for state visit to France

byVince Lopez
January 28, 2023, 1:00 am
0
8
Imported onions in, but price still high

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accepted Friday the invitation of his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, for a state visit to...

Read more

DepEd taps PNP for school security

byRio N. Araja
January 28, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
PH school head remembers Abe via Japan award

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday said it will coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on security measures...

Read more

Coast guardians

byManila Standard
January 28, 2023, 12:41 am
0
8
Job hunting

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored the vital role of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in maintaining the safety and...

Read more

Comelec junks Pimentel plea on PDP-Laban

byVito Barceloand1 others
January 28, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Comelec junks nuisance case vs. Marcos Jr.

The Commission on Elections en banc has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App