Current Moon Phase

[sur3wyn]

Hi Guys,

I was searching around the forum on this as I wanted to set the current moon phase on my watch. Couldn't find any info, so I googled around.

Found this site and thought it might be helpful for those who would want to set the current moon phase. (instead of looking up at the moon at night trying to figure out its half-full or half-gone, haha)

http://www.calculatorcat.com/moon_phases/phasenow.php

I didn't really know where to put this info, but if its against any R&R or anyone feel offended by it (?) MODS and ADMINS please feel free to remove/move it to suitable areas.

Just thought I'd share some info

[sur3wyn]

Some more info on Moon Phases off the site: (By the way, I have no affiliation with the site or trying to promote in any manner - just sharing info.)

Brief Explanation of the Moon Phases

The phases of the moon are caused by the relative positions of the earth, sun, and moon. The moon goes around the earth in 27.3 days, or 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes, on average. This measurement is relative to the stars and is called the sidereal period or orbital period. However, because of the earth's motion around the sun, a complete moon cycle (New Moon to New Moon) appears to earthbound observers to take a couple of days longer: 29.5305882 days to be exact. This number is called the synodic period or "lunation", and is relative to the sun.

The sun always illuminates the half of the moon facing the sun (except during lunar eclipses, when the moon passes thru the earth's shadow). When the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth, the moon appears "full" to us, a bright, round disk. When the moon is between the earth and the sun, it appears dark, a "new" moon. In between, the moon's illuminated surface appears to grow (wax) to full, then decreases (wanes) to the next new moon.

The edge of the shadow (the terminator) is always curved, being an oblique view of a circle, giving the moon its familiar crescent shape. Because the "horns" of the moon at the ends of the crescent are always facing away from the setting or rising sun, they always point upward in the sky. It is fun to watch for paintings and pictures which show an "impossible moon" with the horns pointed downwards.

(some of above information courtesy of NASA http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov)