Harvest Moon Friday Provides Extra Evening Light This-Coming Weekend

 

The Harvest Moon often appears orange in color due to Rayleigh Scattering of sunlight from the Moon, which occurs whenever the Moon is near the horizon. The Harvest Moon always rises around the time of local sunset. (Image Sources: Wikipedia.org, By The original uploader was Roadcrusher at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Khayman using CommonsHelper., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15755496)

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

More evening light, coming just after the earlier sunsets of late Summer and early Autumn, occur with the Harvest Moon (the Full Moon of September) and a few days near the day of this Full Moon (weather-permitting). Traditionally, this time of year helped give farmers more light in the evening as they work to harvest their crops before the coming Winter. However, anyone can take advantage of this extra evening light, as the early Autumn evenings continue with moderate temperatures.

For this year, the Harvest Moon will be the Full Moon of Friday Morning, 2023 September 29, at 5:57 a.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT) / 9:57 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Of course, the Harvest Moon becomes visible (weather-permitting) in the vicinity of the time of sunset on the days around the day of Full Moon.

For farmers eager to finish harvesting their crops, the bright Full Moon which shines on their farms for the several evenings closest to the Autumnal Equinox is called the Harvest Moon. This year the Autumnal Equinox, the beginning of the season of Autumn or Fall in the Earth's Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of the season of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, occurred the previous Saturday Morning, 2023 September 23 at 2:50 a.m. EDT / 6:50 UTC.

The Harvest Moon is one of the signature astronomical events shortly before the beginning of, or shortly after the beginning of, the Fall season. It is an event particularly anticipated by farmers of both the past and the present. As many crops reach the time of harvest in late Summer and early Autumn, often the work of the harvest has to continue past sunset, which comes earlier and earlier each evening.

Nature has come to the rescue of these farmers, with a bright Full Moon (weather-permitting), which arrives just around the time of sunset, that allows farmers and their staff to continue the harvest after the Sun's direct light has dissipated. Hence, long-ago this Full Moon came to be known as the Harvest Moon.

For a similar reason, the Full Moon of October is often known as the Hunter's Moon, which allowed Native Americans to continue the hunt after sunset, to begin to store meat for the coming Winter months. However, the Harvest Moon is designated as the closest Full Moon to the Autumnal Equinox, and such a Full Moon does not always occur in September. Every few years the Harvest Moon occurs in October, shortly after the Autumnal Equinox. During those years, the Hunter's Moon occurs in November.

This year, the Hunter's Moon occurs on Saturday Afternoon, 2023 October 28 at 4:24 p.m. EDT / 20:24 UTC. Of course, the Hunter's Moon becomes visible (weather-permitting) in the vicinity of the time of sunset on the days around the day of Full Moon.

This year's Hunter's Moon comes with a bonus sky event---a Partial Eclipse of the Moon! Although, this Hunter's Moon Lunar Eclipse will primarily be visible in Earth's Eastern Hemisphere (weather-permitting).

On average, the Moon rises about 50 minutes later each day. However, during the days near the Autumnal Equinox, the Moon rises each day only about 25-to-35 minutes later each day in the U.S.A., and only 10-to-20 minutes later each day in much of Canada and Europe. Thus, for several days around the time of the Autumnal Equinox, the Harvest Moon appears to rise around the same time each evening (roughly coinciding with local sunset), providing light at the time most needed by farmers.

The reason for this is due to the Ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun, Moon, and planets through Earth's sky, which makes a narrow angle with the horizon this time of year. It is this narrow angle which provides that moonrise occurs around the time of sunset, near the time of the Full Moon of September (for the Harvest Moon) and near the time of the Full Moon of October (for the Hunter's Moon). Hence, several evenings (before darkness has fallen) appear to have a rising Full Moon.

Also, at this time of year when farmers need moonlight the most, the Harvest Moon appears larger and more prominent, due to the mysterious but well-known "Moon Illusion" that makes the Moon seem larger when it is near the horizon. And, while near the horizon, the Moon is often reddened by clouds and dust, creating the appearance of a large, rising red ball.

Some even liken a rising Harvest Moon to a rising "Great Pumpkin," of Peanuts comic-strip fame! In the Peanuts' network-television cartoon just before Halloween each year (originally aired on CBS-TV on 1966 October 27) titled, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", the “Great Pumpkin” rises over the pumpkin patch to provide gifts to all good little boys and girls.

In China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and other nations in East and Southeast Asia, a popular harvest festival is celebrated on the date close to the Autumnal Equinox of the Solar Cycle, as well as close to the Harvest Moon. This Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival dates back more than 3,000 years to Moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty.

Although Western Cultures consider September the beginning of Autumn (meteorologists and climatologists consider September 1 the beginning of Meteorological Autumn), the ancients often termed this as "Mid-Autumn". By this reckoning, Autumn actually began at the traditional Cross-Quarter Day of August 1 (when harvesting of wheat usually begins) and ends at the traditional Cross-Quarter Day of All-Hallow's Eve, also known as Halloween.

On the Chinese Han Calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month (on a day between September 8 and October 7 in our Gregorian Calendar). This usually falls on the night of a Full Moon, the Harvest Moon.

This year's Harvest Moon will also be the last so-called "Super-Moon" of 2023. A so-called "Super-Moon" occurs when the Full Moon is closer to the Earth than average, and hence, the Moon appears a little larger than average in the sky. This month's Lunar Perigee occurs a little over a day before the Harvest Moon - Wednesday Evening, 2023 September 27 at 9:00 p.m. EDT / September 28, 1:00 UTC: 223,638.327 statute miles / 359,911 kilometers distance of the Moon from Earth. 

Native Americans also called the Full Moon of September the Corn Moon or Barley Moon, as Corn and Barley were among their main crops. Sometimes, the September Full Moon in the Northern Hemisphere is also known as the Fruit Moon. Other Full Moon names for September include Chrysanthemum Moon (China), Singing Moon (Celtic), Nut Moon (American Indian - Cherokee), Mulberry Moon (American Indian - Choctaw), and Moon When the Calves Grow Hair (American Indian - Dakotah Sioux).

In the Southern Hemisphere, where Winter is turning to Spring, the September Full Moon is known as the Lenten Moon, Worm Moon, Crow Moon, Sugar Moon, Chaste Moon, or Sap Moon. Another Full Moon name for September includes Storm Moon (South Africa). 

The Harvest Moon in the Southern Hemisphere occurs in March or April, with the same advantages to Southern Hemisphere farmers as the Harvest Moon in the Northern Hemisphere.

Internet Links to Additional Info.orrmation ---

Harvest Moon: Link >>> https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/16sep_harvestmoon/ 

Native American Full Moon Names: Link >>> https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/full-moon-names/ 

Other Full Moon Names: Link >>> https://www.lunarphasepro.com/full-moon-names/

Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

Related Blog-Post ---

"Fall Begins at Equinox This-Coming Weekend." Mon., 2023 Sept. 18.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2023/09/fall-begins-at-equinox-this-coming.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss          

               Monday, 2023 September 25.

                             Like This Post?  Please Share!

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gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Informal Science Educator & Communicator                                                               (For more than 50 years! - Since Monday Morning, 1972 June 12):
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/
Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Project Director, Friends of the Zeiss: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/
SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/
Formerly Astronomical Observatory Coordinator & Planetarium Lecturer, original Buhl Planetarium & Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), America's fifth major planetarium and Pittsburgh's science & technology museum from 1939 to 1991.
Formerly Trustee, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, the fourth of only five libraries where both construction and endowment funded by famous industrialist & philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: Link >>>  http://www.planetarium.cc  Buhl Observatory: Link >>>  http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/11/75th-anniversary-americas-5th-public.html
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: Link >>> http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear: Link >>> http://johnbrashear.tripod.com
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: Link >>> http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc

 * Other Walsh-Authored Blog & Web-Sites: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/gawweb.html

Fall Begins at Equinox This-Coming Weekend

    

This diagram shows the position of the Earth, in relation to the Sun, at the time of the Autumnal Equinox, as well as the other equinox and solstices of the year.

[Graphic Source: ©1999, Eric G. Canali, former Floor Operations Manager of the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center (America's 5th major planetarium & Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991) and Founder of the South Hills Backyard Astronomers amateur astronomy club. Permission granted for non-profit use only, with credit to author.]

By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

The Autumnal Equinox early Saturday morning marks the end of the season of Summer and the beginning of Fall or Autumn in Earth's Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, this marks the transition from Winter to Spring.

The Autumnal Equinox (also known as the September Equinox), the end of Summer and the beginning of the season of Autumn or Fall in Earth's Northern Hemisphere, occurs Saturday Morning, 2023 September 23 at 2:50 a.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT) / 6:50 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In the Southern Hemisphere, this moment marks the astronomical beginning of the season of Spring.

Autumn or Fall continues in the Northern Hemisphere, and Spring in the Southern Hemisphere, until the December Solstice: Thursday Evening, 2023 December 21 at 10:27 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) / December 22 at 3:27 UTC. At the moment of the December Solstice, Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer begins in the Southern Hemisphere.

The approximate and traditional mid-way point between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice comes in the vicinity of October 31 (All-Hallows Eve or Halloween) / November 1 (All-Saints Day) / November 2 (All-Souls Day): the Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day of Samhain or All-Hallowsmas. The actual November Cross-Quarter Day will be Tuesday Morning, 2023 November 7 at 11:18 a.m. EST / 16:18 UTC. The one-week discrepancy between the October 31 and November 7 dates is due to the fact that the traditional date of Samhain was fixed on October 31, when the Julian Calendar was still in use.

In ancient times, a calendar season was considered the time between one Cross-Quarter Day and the next Cross-Quarter Day. So, Autumn was considered the time between August 1 (Lughnasadh or Lammas Day), which was the traditional beginning of the wheat harvest, to October 31 (Samhain). Samhain actually means “Summer's end” as the Celtic calendar only considered two main seasons: Summer and Winter.

The Celtic peoples of Ireland began celebrations on Samhain in the 5^th century B.C. Samhain was considered by the Celtics and Druids on the British Isles as the end of the old year, with the following day the beginning of the New Year. In A.D, 835, the Roman Catholic Church named November 1 All-Saints Day with the previous day becoming All-Hallows Eve or Halloween, the eve or evening before All-Saints Day.

It is believed that in ancient times the Pleiades Star Cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, culminated (climbed to the cluster's highest point in the sky) around Midnight local time on or near Samhain. Samhain and Pleiades Culmination would have occurred together around A.D. 11^th and 12^th centuries before the Gregorian Calendar was instituted. For the Pleiades Culmination to occur during the dark time of the year's end, many peoples felt this was a time to honor the dead. Although today Pleiades Culmination occurs on November 21, the Pleiades still can be seen high in the sky around local Midnight on Halloween, weather-permitting.

On the day of the Equinox, the Sun appears directly overhead at local Noon on the Equator. At the moment of Equinox, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of Earth are illuminated equally. And, the time of Equinox is the only time when the Earth Terminator (dividing line on Earth between daylight and darkness) is perpendicular to the Equator.

This, and the reason for seasons on Earth in the first place, is due to the fact that Earth rotates on its axis, which is tilted at an approximate 23.44-degree angle from the Ecliptic, the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. As the Earth revolves around the Sun, this axial tilt causes one hemisphere of the planet to receive more direct solar radiation during that hemisphere's season of Summer and much less direct solar radiation about a half-year later during that hemisphere's season of Winter. As mentioned, during an Equinox [in the Northern Hemisphere: about half-way between Summer and Winter (Autumnal Equinox), and about half-way between Winter and Summer (Vernal Equinox)] both planetary hemispheres receive an equal amount of solar radiation. 

Although "Equinox" in Latin means equal-night, the day of the Equinox does not actually have an equal amount of daylight and nightfall, as it appears on the Earth's surface. If the Sun was just a pin-point of light in our sky, as all other stars appear, day and night would be equal.

But, because the Sun is a disk, part of the Sun has risen above the horizon before the center of the Sun (which would be the pin-point of light); so there are extra moments of light on the Equinox. Likewise, part of the Sun is still visible, after the center of the Sun has set.

Additionally, the refraction of sunlight by our atmosphere causes sunlight to appear above the horizon, before sunrise and after sunset.

Each year, September 25 or 26 (Sept. 26 in 2023) marks the Equilux ("equal-light"), the actual day with equal hours and minutes of the Sun above the horizon, and equal hours and minutes of the Sun below the horizon. The Equilux occurs twice each year, approximately 3-to-4 days before the Vernal Equinox, when Spring begins,  and 3-to-4 days after the Autumnal Equinox, after Autumn or Fall has begun.

An urban legend that has been making the rounds for decades has it that eggs can be stood on their ends only during an Equinox, whether the Vernal Equinox in the Spring or the Autumnal Equinox in the Fall. This is completely false. Depending greatly on the size and shape of the particular egg, eggs can be stood on their ends any day of the year! Astronomy has nothing to do with whether an egg can stand on its end. If an egg can stand on its end on the Equinox (and, due to the shape and size of some eggs, this is not even possible), it can stand the same way any other day of the year.

In the last few years, with the help of the Internet and Social Media, another urban legend has become prevalent. Now it is claimed that brooms can stand, on their own, on their bristles, only on an Equinox day. This is also false. Again, as with eggs, if a broom can stand on its bristles by itself (this usually only works with newer brooms, with more stiff and even bristles) on an Equinox, it can do so any day of the year!

In China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and other nations in East and Southeast Asia, a popular harvest festival is celebrated on the date close to the Autumnal Equinox of the Solar Cycle, as well as close to the Harvest Moon. This Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival dates back more than 3,000 years to Moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty.

Again, as Western Cultures consider September the beginning of Autumn (meteorologists and climatologists consider September 1 the beginning of Meteorological Autumn), the ancients often termed this as "Mid-Autumn". By this reckoning, Autumn actually began at the traditional Cross-Quarter Day of August 1 (when some harvesting actually begins) and ends at the traditional Cross-Quarter Day of All-Hallow's Eve, also known as Halloween.

On the Chinese Han Calendar, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month (on a day between September 8 and October 7 in our Gregorian Calendar). This usually falls on the night of a Full Moon, the Harvest Moon. This year, the Harvest Moon occurs on Friday Morning, 2023 September 29 at 5:57 a.m. EDT / 9:57 UTC.

September 22 is designated as Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival

Cross-Quarter Day: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_the_Year

Autumnal Equinox: Link >>> http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/astronomy/AutumnalEquinox.html

Season of Autumn or Fall: Link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn

Equinox: Link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox

Equilux: Link >>> https://darkskydiary.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/equinox-equilux-and-twilight-times/

Earth's Seasons: Link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season

Tilt of a planet's axis: Link >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axial_tilt

Urban legend of eggs and brooms standing on their own, only on an Equinox:
Link >>> http://www.snopes.com/science/equinox.asp

Falls Prevention Awareness Day: Link >>> https://nationaltoday.com/falls-prevention-awareness-day

Related Blog-Post ---

"Summer Begins Mid-Day Wednesday at Solstice." Mon., 2023 June 19.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2023/06/summer-begins-mid-day-wednesday-at.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss          

               Monday, 2023 September 18.

                             Like This Post?  Please Share!

           More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
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                Want to receive SpaceWatchtower blog posts in your in-box ?
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gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Informal Science Educator & Communicator                                                               (For more than 50 years! - Since Monday Morning, 1972 June 12):
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/
Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Project Director, Friends of the Zeiss: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/
SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/
Formerly Astronomical Observatory Coordinator & Planetarium Lecturer, original Buhl Planetarium & Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), America's fifth major planetarium and Pittsburgh's science & technology museum from 1939 to 1991.
Formerly Trustee, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, the fourth of only five libraries where both construction and endowment funded by famous industrialist & philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: Link >>>  http://www.planetarium.cc  Buhl Observatory: Link >>>  http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/11/75th-anniversary-americas-5th-public.html
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: Link >>> http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear: Link >>> http://johnbrashear.tripod.com
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: Link >>> http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc

 * Other Walsh-Authored Blog & Web-Sites: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/gawweb.html

'Blue Moon' Wed. Night: Largest Full Moon of 2023

       

Image of a 'Blue Moon' (which was also a so-called 'Super-Moon') as it appeared during the Partial Eclipse of the Moon on 2009 December 31. According to NASA's Five Millennium Catalogue of Lunar Eclipses, a 'Blue Moon' Lunar Eclipse is the rarest type of Eclipse of the Moon, occurring only 11 times per millennium! (Image Sources: Wikipedia.org, By Codybird - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8877938)

By Glenn A. Walsh
Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

“Once in a 'Blue Moon' ” will come this Wednesday evening, when a Full Moon that is called a 'Blue Moon' will be visible in the sky, weather-permitting. And, this particular 'Blue Moon' will also be considered a so-called 'Super-Moon', as it will be the closest Full Moon to the Earth, and thus the largest visible Full Moon, this year.

This week's Primary Full Moon Phase occurs on Wednesday Evening, 2023 August 30 at 9:36 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT) / August 31 at 1:36 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Just a little earlier on Wednesday, at 12:00 Noon EDT / 16:00 UTC, the Moon reaches Lunar Perigee (making it a so-called 'Super-Moon'), the Moon's closest approach to Planet Earth for the entire year - distance Earth to the Moon: 221,941.984 statute miles / 357,181 kilometers (nearly 17,000 statute miles / 27,358.848 kilometers closer than average). According to the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, a so-called 'Super-Moon' appears about 8 per-cent larger than a normal Full Moon, and about 15 per-cent brighter than a normal Full Moon.

At this distance, large tides are predicted along ocean coast-lines. This could be particularly problematic for the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean coasts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with the impending approach of Hurricane Idalia. The Moon will exert about 48 per-cent more tidal force during the Spring Tides of August 30, compared to the tides of two weeks earlier.

The previous 'Blue Moon', which coincided with a so-called 'Super-Moon', occurred on Thursday, 2009 December 31, 2:13 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) / 19:13 UTC (which also coincided with a Partial Eclipse of the Moon, which makes this a very rare event). The next 'Blue Moon', which coincides with a so-called 'Super-Moon', will occur on Saturday, 2037 January 31, 9:05:42 a.m. EST / 14:05:42 UTC.

The first Primary Full Moon Phase of this month occurred on Tuesday Afternoon, 2023 August 1 at 2:32 p.m. EDT / 18:32 UTC, which was also a so-called 'Super-Moon' and also had the prediction of large tides along ocean coast-lines. For this first Full Moon of August, Lunar Perigee occurred a little less than 12 hours later on August 2 at 2:00 a.m. EDT / 6:00 UTC - the distance between Earth and the Moon: 222,022.141 statute miles / 357,310 kilometers.

Of course the phrase, “Once in a 'Blue Moon' ”, in popular parlance has come to refer to an event that comes fairly rarely. Actually, on average, a 'Blue Moon' can occur once every 2.716 years, or once every 2 years, 8 months, and 18 days, approximately.

A 'Blue Moon' occurs due to how we define calendar seasons and calendar months. A completely different calendar system would mean that 'Blue Moon' would have to be re-defined, if 'Blue Moon' is defined at all.

Also, let us be clear that this 'Blue Moon' will not look blue in the sky. The blue color of the Rainbow, technically the blue wavelength (450 to 495 nanometers) of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, has nothing to do with a 'Blue Moon'. The only time a Full Moon Primary Phase might appear with a blue tint could be when fires or a volcanic eruption release particles, of just the right size, into the atmosphere which may scatter red light (red wavelength: 700 nanometers) thus allowing the Moon to have a more blue appearance.

There is no official, astronomical definition for a 'Blue Moon'. There are three cultural definitions of a 'Blue Moon' ---

1. The classic definition of a 'Blue Moon' is the third Primary Full Moon Phase in a calendar season which has four Primary Full Moon Phases. Most calendar seasons have three Primary Full Moon Phases, for the three months per season.

2. The 13th Primary Full Moon Phase in a calendar year. Such a 'Blue Moon' would also satisfy the third definition of a 'Blue Moon'.

3. The more common definition of a 'Blue Moon' (which became the more popular definition, due to misinterpretation in the media – more on this later in this article) is the second Primary Full Moon Phase in one calendar month.

   Wednesday evening's Primary Full Moon Phase will satisfy the third definition of a 'Blue Moon', the second Primary Full Moon Phase in the month of 2023 August. It does not satisfy the first and second definitions of a 'Blue Moon', as there are only three Full Moon Primary Phases in the season of Summer in 2023: July 3 (7:39 a.m. EDT / 11:39 UTC), August 1 (2:32 p.m. EDT / 18:32 UTC), and August 30 (9:36 p.m. EDT / Aug. 31, 1:36 UTC. Interestingly, the Primary Full Moon Phase of 2009 December 31 (which was a 'Blue Moon', so-called 'Super-Moon', and a Partial Eclipse of the Moon) satisfied both the second and third definitions of a 'Blue Moon'.

For a Primary Full Moon Phase to meet the requirements for the second, more common, definition of a 'Blue Moon', the 'Blue Moon' has to occur on the 30th or 31st days of a month, and the first Full Moon has to occur on the 1st or 2nd days of the same month. Except during a Leap Year (which would be extremely rare, if possible at all), a 'Blue Moon' cannot occur in the month of February.

Native Americans, as well as other ancient peoples, used the complete orbit of the Moon to define a month, what they called a 'moon'. From the Primary New Moon Phase to the next New Moon Phase, or from the Primary Full Moon Phase to the next Full Moon Phase, would be considered one month. Some religions, such as Judaism and Islam, also use the Moon to help mark dates and times of various festivals as part of a Lunisolar Calendar for Judaism and as part of a Lunar Calendar for Islam.

The orbit of the Moon around the Earth completes one revolution, in relation to the stars and lunar phases (Sidereal Period), in 27.32 Earth days. In relation to the Sun (Synodic Period), the Moon completes one revolution in 29.53 Earth days.

Since 1933, this Synodic Period has also been known as a Lunation, when used to describe the time from one New Moon Primary Phase to the next New Moon Phase. Since gravity locks the near side of the Moon to always facing the Earth, one lunar revolution is also one lunar rotation (i.e. one Lunar Day).

The term Lunation was originally coined in 1933 by British Professor Ernest W. Brown, who had just retired from Yale University. He defined Lunation #1 as the first Primary New Moon Phase of 1923: 1923 January 16 at ~9:41 p.m. EST / January 17, 2:41 UTC; the Brown Lunation Number system was used in almanacs until 1983. In 1998, Belgian meteorologist and amateur astronomer Jean Meeus introduced a new Lunation Number system, where Lunation #0 was defined as the first Primary New Moon Phase of 2000: 2000 January 6 at ~1:14 p.m. EST / 18:14 UTC.

The third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons was called a 'Blue Moon', so that the nicknames normally given to the three regular Full Moons of a season by the Native Americans, and later adopted by farmers who immigrated to America from Europe, could remain consistent for that particular season. In the 19th century, the Maine Farmers' Almanac started listing 'Blue Moons', as an aid to farmers.

In March of 1946, Sky and Telescope Magazine (which originated as The Sky Magazine, published by New York City's Hayden Planetarium and Pittsburgh's Buhl Planetarium) misinterpreted the classical 'Blue Moon' definition, by interpreting the 1937 Maine Farmers' Almanac as promoting eleven months with one Full Moon and one month with two Full Moons. Hence, this started the more popularly-known definition of a 'Blue Moon' being the second Full Moon in a calendar month. Deborah Byrd writing for StarDate, the daily, nationally-syndicated radio program from the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, found the 1946 misinterpretation (with no reason to believe the popular astronomy magazine would be wrong) and popularized it in their broadcast of Thursday, 1980 January 31 (a 'Blue Moon' occurred that evening at 9:21:56 p.m. EST / February 1, 2:21:56 UTC).

Is one 'Blue Moon' definition better than another? Folklorist Phillip Hiscock of Memorial University in Newfoundland wrote of the new definition in his article "Folklore of the 'Blue Moon'," for the 1993 December issue of the International Planetarium Society's quarterly journal Planetarian: "Old folklore it is not, but real folklore it is."

Native Americans had several names for the Full Moon of August, which this month referred to the first Full Moon on August 1: Sturgeon Moon, Red Moon, Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, or simply Corn Moon. Of course, these referred to the time of year when harvesting grain or corn was beginning, the best time to catch sturgeon, or the red appearance of the Moon as it rises in the haze of late Summer.

In Earth's Southern Hemisphere which is in the middle of the Winter season, the Full Moon of August is known by the names Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, and Wolf Moon.

Internet Links to Additional Information ---

Earth's Moon: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon

Full Moon: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_moon

'Blue Moon': Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_moon

Lunation Number: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_moon#Lunation_number

'Black Moon': Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_moon

Photograph of Waxing Crescent Moon, taken by Francis G. Graham (now Professor Emeritus of Physics, Kent State University) using the historic 10-inch Siderostat-type Refractor Telescope at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science / Buhl Science Center, Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991:

Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/observatory/pix/siderostat_moon.jpg

Photographs similar to this one were compiled by Professor Graham to assist with a national research project, in the 1980s, to better map the area near the Moon's South Pole. Today, four nations (U.S., Russia, China, and India) are targeting the Moon's South Pole with space probes, looking for frozen water which may exist in craters which never see sunlight; in the last few years, attempts to reach the Moon's South Pole by Israel, Japan, and Russia were unsuccessful. Such lunar water sources could help maintain a crewed lunar base, as this water can be used for drinking (H2O), creating breathable oxygen (O2), and creating hydrogen (H2) for use as rocket fuel and use in hydrogen fuel cells to power a lunar base. Last Wednesday (2023 August 23), India successfully landed their first unmanned Lunar Lander and Rover near the Moon's South Pole. Later this decade, the United States plans landing an Artemis mission near the South Pole with astronauts, including the first woman and the first astronaut of color to land on the Moon.

Related Blog-Posts ---

Today's "Black Moon"." Wed., 2015 Feb. 18.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2015/02/todays-black-moon.html

"'Blue Moon' Tuesday Night." Tue., 2013 Aug. 20.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/08/blue-moon-tuesday-night.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss          

               Monday, 2023 August 28.

                             Like This Post?  Please Share!

           More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
            Link >>> https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower

        Astronomy & Science Links: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks

                Want to receive SpaceWatchtower blog posts in your in-box ?
                Send request to < spacewatchtower@planetarium.cc >.

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Informal Science Educator & Communicator                                                               (For more than 50 years! - Since Monday Morning, 1972 June 12):
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/
Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Project Director, Friends of the Zeiss: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/
SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/
Formerly Astronomical Observatory Coordinator & Planetarium Lecturer, original Buhl Planetarium & Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), America's fifth major planetarium and Pittsburgh's science & technology museum from 1939 to 1991.
Formerly Trustee, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, the fourth of only five libraries where both construction and endowment funded by famous industrialist & philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: Link >>>  http://www.planetarium.cc  Buhl Observatory: Link >>>  http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/11/75th-anniversary-americas-5th-public.html
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: Link >>> http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear: Link >>> http://johnbrashear.tripod.com
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: Link >>> http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc

 * Other Walsh-Authored Blog & Web-Sites: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/gawweb.html

Best Meteor Shower of Year This-Coming Weekend !

            

The vast majority of meteors that are visible during meteor showers are usually quite small, even though they often make a bright spectacle when entering Earth's atmosphere. However, some meteors which actually land on Earth, sometimes creating a crater, can be quite large. The above photograph shows the fifth largest fragment of the meteorite which created Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona, on public display near the entrance to the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center. Owned by the City of Pittsburgh, this meteorite was originally acquired for, and displayed at, the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991.

More Information: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/Buhlexhibits.htm#meteorite

(Image Source: Friends of the Zeiss' History of Buhl Planetarium Internet Web-site)

 By Glenn A. Walsh

Reporting for SpaceWatchtower

The annual Perseid Meteor Shower, which peaks late this-coming weekend, is considered the best Meteor Shower of the year by NASA and most astronomers. Meteor sightings should be optimum this year, as the peak of this Meteor Shower comes three days before the New Moon lunar phase.

Astronomically, the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower comes this year during the late-night and early-morning hours of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 2023 August 11, 12, and 13. Technically, the actual peak is predicted to occur on Sunday, 2023 August 13 at 3:58 a.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT) / 7:58 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

The best time to watch most Meteor Showers, including this year's Perseids, is always between local midnight and dawn, when the Earth is rotating into the Meteor Shower. So, the best time to view this year's Perseid Meteor Shower is late Friday night through early Sunday morning.

At the peak-time, sometimes up-to 50-to-100 Meteors could possibly be seen per-hour, if observing conditions are ideal. Depending on your location (including elevation and number of obstructions to sky viewing, such as hills, trees, and buildings), weather conditions, Moon phase, and the condition of your eye-sight, seeing 40-to-60 Meteors per-hour would be more likely.

As most Meteors are often dim, it is best to view a Meteor Shower away from city lights, which cause a brightening of the sky at night, and hence, the dimmest Meteors are often missed. And, you want to go out ahead of time, before you start actual viewing of Meteors, to get your eyes accustomed to the dark sky. Dark-adapting your eyes for Meteor watching could take up-to one half-hour.

Also, after your eyes are dark-adapted, do not look at your cellular telephone while looking for Meteors. The light you see from your telephone could disrupt your dark-adapted night-vision.

For the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower this year, the Moon will be just three days from the Primary Moon Phase of New Moon. What little of the Moon, that will be visible in the sky, will be a slender, Waning Crescent Phase Moon. Hence, the dimmer Meteors may be a little easier to find in a sky that is not brightened by much Moon-light.

The Primary Lunar Phase of New Moon (Lunation #1245) will occur on Wednesday, 2023 August 16 at 5:38 a.m. EDT / 9:38 UTC. In years when the Moon-light is brighter than it will be this year, try not to look directly at the Moon, so it does not hinder your dark-adapted eye-sight.

Actually, some Meteors from the Perseid Meteor Shower can be seen as early as mid-July and as late as late August (~July 17 to August 24); but they are few and far-between. Most Perseid Meteors can be seen three-to-five days before and three-to-five days after the peak time, which is considered, approximately, between August 9 and 14 each year; again, the absolute peak is August 11 to 13.

Viewers in the Northern Hemisphere are fortunate that the Perseid Meteor Shower arrives during the Summer month of August, when temperatures are comfortable for night-time viewing. However, some locations (such as in the mountains) could be cooler in the early-morning hours. So, be sure to check your local weather forecast (with NOAA Weather-Radio, local forecasts on radio, television or local newspapers, Internet, or your smart-telephone or smart-speaker) and bring a sweater and / or jacket with you if your location has a cooler weather forecast.

Be aware that sometimes August can be very humid with poor seeing conditions. And, the closer to the horizon, the worse the seeing conditions could be.

Binoculars and telescopes are not very useful for finding Meteors. Meteors streak across the sky in a very brief period of time, too short to aim binoculars or a telescope. So, the best way to view a Meteor Shower is to lie on the ground (perhaps on a blanket, sheet, or beach-towel—or possibly in a reclining beach or lawn-chair), in an area with a good view of the entire sky (with few obstructions such as buildings, trees, or hills, perhaps at a higher elevation), and keep scanning the entire sky with your naked-eyes (one-power).

Meteor Showers appear to emanate from a Radiant point in the sky. For the Perseid Meteor Shower, the Radiant appears to be within the Constellation Perseus, named for the hero of Greek mythology (hence, the name Perseid Meteor Shower). However, you should not, necessarily, be looking only at Perseus, when looking for Meteors in this Shower.

Meteors can appear in any part of the sky at any time. In fact, looking towards Perseus may not result in finding the best Meteors. Meteors coming from the Apparent Radiant may be seen for a shorter time in the sky, with much shorter sky streaks.

A Meteor Shower normally consists of dust particles related to a Comet. Each time a Comet approaches the Sun, the Comet loses dust particles following the melting of ice on the Comet. These dust particles, called Meteoroids, continue to follow the same orbit as the Comet and form a Meteoroid stream. Each year, as the Earth orbits the Sun, the Earth passes through several of these Meteoroid streams, becoming Earth's Meteor Showers.

The Earth's gravity then attracts many of these Meteoroids to fall to Earth, and they are viewed by people as Meteors, as they burn-up, mostly but not always, high in the atmosphere. Most are extremely small and burn-up completely. From time-to-time, larger particles enter the Atmosphere and create brilliant displays known as Fire-balls or Bolides. If these particles are large enough, they may not completely burn-up and land on Earth as a Meteorite, perhaps even creating a crater on Earth if the Meteorite is large and heavy enough.

Many museums and science centers display Meteorites to the general public. From 1939 to 1991, the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center - Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991) displayed the fifth largest fragment of the Meteorite that formed Barringer Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona. Owned by the City of Pittsburgh, this large Meteorite is now displayed on the second floor of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center, outside the entrance to the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium. Meteorites are also on display in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Meteors can be seen any night of the year, although they are not predictable and are rare outside of one of the annual Meteor Showers. The vast majority of Meteors that can be seen during the Perseid Meteor Shower originate from Comet Swift-Tuttle, which has an orbital period of 133 years, leaving behind a trail of dust and grit. Comet Swift-Tuttle was discovered in 1862 and last returned for Earth viewing in 1992.

Comet Swift-Tuttle measures about 16 statute miles / 25 kilometers across, much larger than the object that is thought to have fallen to Earth which resulted in the extinction of the Dinosaurs (about 6 statute miles / 10 kilometers across) approximately 66 million years ago (after the Dinosaurs had lived on Earth for about 165 million years!).

Comet Swift-Tuttle will make a very close approach to the Earth in the year A.D. 4479. Scientists are now studying whether some day Comet Swift-Tuttle could impact the Earth. Comet Swift–Tuttle has been described as "the single most dangerous object known to humanity".

There are two additional Meteor Showers, which both peaked at the end of July, with some Meteors still visible in mid-August.

The Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower peaked at 1:00 p.m. EDT / 17:00 UTC on Saturday, 2023 July 29; these Meteors are visible each year between July 12 and August 23. It is not certain which Comet originated the Southern Delta Aquariids. This is considered a strong Meteor Shower, with 15-to-20 Meteors visible per-hour, around the peak of Shower; fewer would now be visible per-hour.

The evening of 2023 July 29 / early-morning of July 30 saw the peak of the Alpha Capracornid Meteor Shower. The official peak occurred around 10:00 a.m. EDT / 14:00 UTC on Sunday, 2023 July 30. At the peak time, 5 Meteors per-hour are expected, making the Alpha Capracornids a minor Meteor Shower; of course, now there would be fewer Alpha Capracornids visible per-hour. The Alpha Capracornids, which originated as remnants of Comet 169P / NEAT, are visible each year from July 3 to August 15.

Another minor Meteor Shower may be visible to some between August 28 and September 5 each year; the peak is expected August 31 / September 1. The peak for this Meteor Shower is about 11:00 a.m. EDT / 15:00 UTC on Friday, 2023 September 1. The Aurigid Meteor Shower is believed to have originated as remnants of Comet Kless (C / 1911 N1). Astronomers do not know the composition of this Meteoric debris. So, it is uncertain how the Meteors from this Shower may interact with the Earth's atmosphere, and hence, scientists are unsure how visible this Shower may be each year.

So in mid-August, the time for viewing is right. And, of course, with the warm weather most of us experience in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of year, what could be better for viewing Meteors?

Of course, Meteor Showers, like all celestial observations, are weather-permitting. Even a few clouds could obscure quite a few Meteors.

If the weather in your area does not permit direct viewing of this Meteor Shower outdoors, it is possible (but not guaranteed) you may be able to use Google, Yahoo, Bing, Lycos, or your favorite Internet search engine to find special, Live-stream Web-casts of the Meteor Shower at one or more sites on the Internet.

A cautionary note for those who find it necessary to watch the Meteor Shower on the Internet. The video camera, used for each Live-stream Web-cast, can only aim at one part of the sky at a time. Hence, do not expect to see as many Meteors as you might see with your own eyes outside. Outdoors, you can easily scan the entire sky for Meteors, while a camera aimed at one area of the sky will only be able to see the Meteors that enter that particular field-of-view.

Internet Links  to Additional Information ----

Perseid Meteor Shower: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids

Comet Swift-Tuttle: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Swift%E2%80%93Tuttle

Constellation Perseus: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus_%28constellation%29

South Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower:

Link >>>  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Delta_Aquariids 

Alpha Capracornid Meteor Shower: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Capricornids 

Aurigid Meteor Shower:

Link 1 >>> https://astronomyforbeginners.wordpress.com/2007/08/24/aurigid-meteor-shower-astronomy-for-beginners/ 

Link 2 >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurigids

Meteor Shower: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_shower

Meteor: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoroid#Meteor

Meteoroid: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoroid

Meteorite: Link >>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteoroid#Meteorites

Fifth largest fragment of the meteorite which struck Barringer Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona, which was displayed (1939 to 1991) at the original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), Pittsburgh's science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991. Today, this meteorite is displayed on the second floor of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center, next to the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium:
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/Buhlexhibits.htm#meteorite

Related Blog-Posts ---

"Active Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Fri., Sat." Mon., 2022 Aug. 8.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2022/08/active-perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-fri.html

 

"Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Wed., Thur." Mon., 2021 Aug. 9.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2021/08/perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-wed-thur.html

 

"Annual Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tue. Night / Early Wed. Morning." Mon., 2020 Aug. 10.

Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2020/08/annual-perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-tue.html 

"Tonight's 'Meteor Outburst' w/Web-Casts: 150 Years After Comet-Meteor Shower Link Found." Thur., 2016 Aug. 11.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/08/tonights-meteor-outburst-wweb-casts-150.html

 

"Great Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Wed. Night w/ Web-Casts." Wed., 2015 Aug. 12.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2015/08/great-perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-wed.html

 

"Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks in Sky & Web-Casts." Tue., 2014 Aug. 12.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2014/08/perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-in-sky-web.html

 

"Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Sun., Mon. Nights." Sat., 2013 Aug. 10.

Link >>> https://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/08/perseid-meteor-shower-peaks-sun-mon.html

Source: Glenn A. Walsh Reporting for SpaceWatchtower, a project of Friends of the Zeiss          

               Monday, 2023 August 7.

                             Like This Post?  Please Share!

           More Astronomy & Science News - SpaceWatchtower Twitter Feed:
            Link >>> https://twitter.com/spacewatchtower

        Astronomy & Science Links: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#sciencelinks

                Want to receive SpaceWatchtower blog posts in your in-box ?
                Send request to < spacewatchtower@planetarium.cc >.

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Informal Science Educator & Communicator                                                               (For more than 50 years! - Since Monday Morning, 1972 June 12):
Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium2.tripod.com/weblog/spacewatchtower/gaw/
Electronic Mail: < gawalsh@planetarium.cc >
Project Director, Friends of the Zeiss: Link >>> http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/fotz/
SpaceWatchtower Editor / Author: Link >>> http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/
Formerly Astronomical Observatory Coordinator & Planetarium Lecturer, original Buhl Planetarium & Institute of Popular Science (a.k.a. Buhl Science Center), America's fifth major planetarium and Pittsburgh's science & technology museum from 1939 to 1991.
Formerly Trustee, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, the fourth of only five libraries where both construction and endowment funded by famous industrialist & philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh: Link >>>  http://www.planetarium.cc  Buhl Observatory: Link >>>  http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2016/11/75th-anniversary-americas-5th-public.html
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago: Link >>> http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear: Link >>> http://johnbrashear.tripod.com
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries: Link >>> http://www.andrewcarnegie.cc

 * Other Walsh-Authored Blog & Web-Sites: Link >>> https://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/gawweb.html