Embedded Files
By Thalia Smith
By Thalia Smith
Trick-or-treating, jack-o-lanterns, full moons-all set the tone for Halloween. Normally, we don't get the last one. That’s going to change this year since there will be a full moon this October 31st. The month of October has 2 full moons. The first one kicks off October and has the nickname “harvest moon” the other ends October- falling on Halloween- and is nicknamed the “blue moon”. The Blue Moon you will be able to see on Halloween is very rare.
NASA space expert Tony Rice says a Halloween full moon has to be a blue moon, because moon cycles are about 29.5 days and Halloween always falls on Oct. 31. The moon phases are the different ways the Moon looks from Earth over about a month. As the Moon orbits around the Earth, the half of the Moon that faces the Sun will be lit up. The different shapes of the lit portion of the Moon that can be seen from Earth are known as moon phases. There are 8 moon phases and the cycle repeats once a month. The spectacular view we are getting at the end of this month will be a perfect photo opt and add some eeriness to your night.
Many people believe the full moon affects people’s behavior more than a moon in a typical phase. According to research, this is false. The brightness of the full moon brings us to a possible explanation for all of the historical work on lunar lunacy. Some researchers believe that the full moon did create a kind of madness at one time – but that was back before humans controlled their light exposure with indoor electricity and street lights. However, now there are no actual studies or research to prove this. On the other hand, there is research to prove that the moon phases affect people on a day-to-day basis.
The moon’s gravity and energy affect the Earth's tides, coral reefs, and all biology on our planet. Today we are awakening to the influence of the moon phases on human physiology. Modern research shows how the moon affects sleep stages, mood, the brain, and so much more. So while the moon affects us mentally (and because of that maybe physically) it is proved to be false that a full moon is specific to affect us differently (in a lunacy way) than any of the other moon phases. So whether or not you will be trick-or-treating this year, be sure to look up for your treat from the sky.
Page updated
Report abuse