Moonrise over Bolivar Peninsula before the devastation of Hurricane IKE.
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A lunar puzzle involves the timing of moonrise. If you enjoy the out–of–doors, the tips and the simple chart below will help you understand the wonders of nature.
- Moonrise occurs about 50 minutes later each day.
- The phases of the Moon reflect how it is illuminated when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are in different positions.
- When the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, the Sun's light shines on the side of the Moon that faces away from Earth. The new Moon is almost invisible when it is "new." This begins the waxing period.
- When Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, the Sun's light shines directly on the side of the Moon that faces Earth. The Moon is in its full phase. This begins the waning period.
- The average length of a lunar month (from one new Moon to the net new Moon) is 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes.
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The new Moon always rises at sunrise |
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And the first quarter at noon. |
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The full Moon always rises at sunset |
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And the last quarter at midnight. |
See the Moon rise and set times on the Almanac Moon page.
Once Upon a Moon
For centuries, people have looked at the full Moon and tried to find an image in it.
- Americans see a man in the Moon.
- Japanese see a rabbit in the Moon.
- Polynesians see a woman with a child in the Moon.
- Other cultures see a toad, a giant, and other images.
What do you see?
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The stars are not in front of
The stars are not in front of the moon.