Observing the Moon

About the Moon

The Moon

While a very clear example of some more physics-based properties of the solar system, the Moon is likely an especially interesting object to study for those interested in Geology and Environmental Sciences. Unlike the Earth, whose surface formations are controlled by plate-tectonics, the Moon's surface is made entirely by impacts from foreign objects. These collisions are are made possible due to its much thinner atmosphere ("exosphere") than Earth's, and result in both the craters and mountains that cover the Moon's surface.

The coloration of the Moon's surface, and contrast between lighter and darker areas, represent different rock formations, with lighter colors showing highlands, and the dark features (called maria) showing impact basins that were filled with lava billions of years ago.

The Moon is also notable for its prospect for life, which benefits from the finding of water, both in ice form at its poles (Chandrayaan-1, 2008) and in Clavius Crater. (NASA/SOFIA, 2020)

Marius Hills Lava Tube Pit

This 58 meter in diameter by 40 meter deep pit in the Marius Hills of the Moon could be an important resource into understanding the volcanic activity of the Moon, especially early in its history, as well as finding a site for potential longer-term lunar expeditions. (NASA/GSFC/ASU)

Rendering of the Moon through Celestron 130GT

Generated in Stellarium, this image shows about the view one might expect of the moon when looking through one of the Academy's Celestron telescopes using the 10mm eyepiece.

Image of the Moon captured 2021/04/23 on campus with one of the Celestron 130GT's.

Unlike pretty much every other object in astronomy, I find viewing the Moon is a much more meaningful experience than photographing it, because detail is more appreciable, and does not get crowded out.

The awe of seeing the Moon right in front of you is much greater than seeing a photo of it that isn't very unique.

For a challenge, try observing the moon during the daytime, or observing the "dark side" of it through finding Earthshine reflected on the parts of the surface not lit by the sun.

Any time you have a telescope out before sunset you must be very, very careful to not point it anywhere near the sun without a solar filter

Phases of the Moon

While observers on Earth are only ever able to see one side of the Moon (due to it being "tidally locked") the amount of the Moon that we can see does change. Since what we see of the Moon is determined by light from the Sun reflecting off of it, this changes in a cycle of phases (which takes 29.5 days).

The Moon's phase is notable in all aspects of visual astronomy. While directly impacting your ability to observe the Moon, the Moon is also a prominent source of light pollution in the night sky, meaning on nights when a full (or close to full) Moon is present, opportunities to see fainter objects will be much more limited.

Attached on the left is a live widget showing the current phase of the Moon.

Sources and Further Reading

NASA Moon Central: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/earths-moon/overview/

NASA Moon Viewing Guide: https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-observation/viewing-guide/

Moon Phase Widget: https://in-the-sky.org/data/object.php?id=P301

Note to Colin this is another possible Moon phase widget: https://moonorganizer.com/en/free-moon-phase-widget/

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