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