New Moon Watching

ByRoy and Jonathan Hoffman

© R. E. & J. A. Hoffman except were otherwise indicated. 2003/11/24

Background: The New Moon from Maale Adumim, 14th July 1999Illumination 3.21% Lag 72 min

One way to search for the Moon

Using the eyes only without

optical aid (except normal glasses)

Mt. Of Olives, Jerusalem, 9th

November 1999

Ben Ehrhardt, Neve Daniel,26th October

2003

Karaites using equatorially

mounted poles to find the Moon.Mt. Hizkiyahu 28th September 2000.

Pictures © M. Shamuel

A 2nd way to search for the Moon

A 3rd way to search for the Moon

The author using binoculars on a

tripod.Maale Adumim, 9th December 1999.

A 4th way to search for the Moon

Moslems using a computerized telescope. 10th September 1999 Mt. Al-

Shoubak, Jordan.

Illumination 0.58%Lag 35 min

Pictures © M. Odeh

Sometimes searching

alone

Chen-El Brill, Neve Daniel26th October 2003

Sometimes in groups

Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 28th September 2000

Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 4th March 2003

Mt. Olives, Jerusalem, 9th November 1999

Know where to lookLunacal chart for the New Moon of 26th March 2001 from Jerusalem.

Now let’s see it for real

New Moon 26th March 2001Givat Ram, Jerusalem

Illumination 2.52% Lag 82 min

A typical New Moon

appearance

Time 17:21

Celestial equator

Sun’s path

Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 26th

March 2001

First the Sun sets

Time 17:30

The Sun appears to move parallel to the

equatorCelestial equator

Sun’s path

First the Sun sets

Time 17:39

Celestial equator

Sun’s path

The Sun has gone

Time 17:48

It’s getting darker

Time 17:57

The Moon first appears

Very difficult at firstThe Moon’s path is almost parallel to the Sun’s path.

Almost, because the Moon moves by ½°

during its apparition. Time 18:06

Celestial equator

Sun’s path

Moon’s path

The Moon is here

Getting easier to see

Time 18:15

The Moon is clear

Getting easier to see

Time 18:24

Earthshine appears

Earthshine

Time 18:33

Earthshine fading

Time 18:42

Moon turning red & fading

Earthshine gone

Time 18:51

Moon fading more & about to

set

Time 19:00

Not all Moons are equal

Some are easier to see than others

Sometimes it’s easy to see2½% illumination – big for a 29 day month

New Moon from Givat Ram, Jerusalem 20th December 1998.Illumination 2.52% Lag 91 min

Note that earthshine is clearly visible

Or slightly smaller2% illumination

Earthshine weaker

New Moon from Mt. Olives, Jerusalem 9th November 1999. Illumination 1.86% Lag 68 min

Difficult1¼% Illumination – Hard to see

New Moon from Givat Ram, Jerusalem 21st October 1998. Illumination 1.27% Lag 54 min

At the limit of visibility1% Illumination – Just seeable

New Moon from Givat Ram, Jerusalem 18th March 1999. Illumination 0.98% Lag 50 min

In the Fall the New Moon is usually more titled

Clock-face used to report crescent

orientation

129 36This is also true for an old Moon in the

spring. Here is a reversed picture of an old Moon as seen from Maale Adumim, 14th May

1999. Illumination 2.95% Lag 40 min

In the Spring the New Moon is usually less tilted

129 36This is also true for an old Moon in the

fall. Here is a reversed picture of an old Moon as seen from Maale Adumim, 8th October 1999.

Illumination 1.69% Lag74 min

Why?

Celestial equator

Eclip

tic

Celestial equator

EclipticHorizon

SpringFall

Apparent

path of Sun

& M

oon

Don’t get caught out

Be sure that it is the Moon that you see

But beware!

Look closely.Do you see then Moon?

But beware!

Look closely.Do you see then Moon?

No! It’s a cloud!

How can you tell a real Moon? •Clouds appear

brightest about 15 minutes after sunset then fade and turn dark.

•On the other hand the Moon keeps getting brighter for at least 25 minutes after sunset by contrast to the darkening clouds.

New Moon from Givat Ram, Jerusalem 7th October 2002. Illumination 1.94% Lag 56

min

THE END

Happy New Moon Hunting

Background: The New Moon from Maale Adumim, 27th December 2000.Illumination 2.93% Lag 92 min