New moons have captivated human creativeness for hundreds of years. From historic cultures who worshipped the Moon as a deity, to modern-day scientists who examine its results on our planet, the brand new Moon has lengthy been a supply of intrigue and marvel. And this month, the sighting of the primary crescent Moon following the brand new Moon, will mark the beginning of Ramadan, a month-long Islamic interval of fasting and religious reflection.
However what's actually occurring throughout a brand new Moon?
For those who like your astronomy somewhat extra… seen, why not take a look at our full Moon UK calendar and astronomy for rookies information?
When is the brand new Moon in March?
The brand new Moon will rise at 6:18am on 21 March and set at 6:01pm that very same night (as recorded from London, occasions range with location). Because the Solar will rise at 6:01am and set at 6:14pm, because of this the brand new Moon shall be up throughout daylight.
Throughout this time, the Moon will (more-or-less) maintain tempo with the Solar because it arcs throughout the sky, so we received’t have the ability to see the brand new Moon as it will likely be misplaced within the glare. And naturally, we should always by no means look straight on the Solar, anyway.
What's a brand new Moon?
A brand new Moon is one a part of the lunar cycle, and from our viewpoint right here on Earth, it is when the Moon seems fully darkish. This occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Solar (i.e., the Solar and Moon share the identical celestial longitude), and its illuminated aspect is going through away from the Earth.
Throughout a brand new Moon, the aspect of the Moon going through Earth is in shadow and never seen from our vantage level on Earth.
This part marks the start of a brand new lunar cycle and is the purpose when the Moon is closest to the Solar within the sky. The brand new Moon sometimes happens each 29.53 days, and the lunar cycle is sometimes called a ‘lunar month’ or ‘synodic month’.
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The phases of the lunar cycle embody the brand new Moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full Moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
What constellation will the brand new Moon be on this March?
On 21 March, the brand new Moon shall be halfway between the constellation Pisces and Cetus. Right now, the brand new Moon shall be in the identical neighborhood because the Solar and Mercury, with Jupiter close by, lingering somewhat additional into Pisces.
Underneath clear situations, you could possibly glimpse Jupiter low on the western horizon for a short second after the Solar goes down, however the Moon shall be misplaced within the sundown, till a day or so after new. It's because the Moon rises round 50 minutes later every day, so after we're measuring from the brand new Moon (when the Earth, Moon and Solar are aligned), it seems as if the Moon begins to lag behind the Solar.
Are you able to see a brand new Moon with the bare eye?
Usually, a brand new Moon can't be seen with the bare eye, as a result of the illuminated aspect of the Moon is going through away from the Earth. Because of this the Moon seems fully darkish.
Nonetheless, there are outstanding events when a brand new Moon might be seen; photo voltaic eclipses. As a brand new Moon happens when the Moon is located between the Earth and the Solar, a photo voltaic eclipse can solely occur on a brand new Moon.
For those who’re observing a photo voltaic eclipse, it’s vital to watch correct security procedures, in any other case, you'll be able to harm the light-sensitive retina in the back of your eyes. You will need to all the time use particular tools akin to eclipse glasses, telescopes geared up with photo voltaic filters, or the great previous pinhole methodology.
Nonetheless, due to a phenomenon known as ‘earthshine’, the un-illuminated a part of the Moon turns into seen when the Moon is in its slimmest, crescent stage, just a few days on both aspect of the brand new Moon. Earthshine creates an impact the place your complete Moon is seen, but it surely’s not a full Moon. It’s brought about when daylight displays off the floor of the Earth, gently illuminating the night time aspect of the lunar floor, which in flip is mirrored again in direction of us.
The consequences of earthshine can fluctuate between one thing barely resembling a faint glow, to displaying us clear, spectacular particulars of the Moon’s craters and mares.
Are you able to get an excellent new Moon?
Sure – like with full Moons, you too can get an excellent new Moon or micro new Moon.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to notice that these usually are not official designations. The time period ‘supermoon’ was initially coined by astrologer Richard Nolle within the 70s to explain when the Moon was inside 90 per cent of its closest level to Earth. Since then, totally different retailers calculate supermoons in a different way, with many now considering different components akin to modifications within the Moon’s orbit.
If a brand new Moon is located on the closest level to the Earth in its orbit – and in lots of cases, that is quoted to be lower than 360,000km-ish away – then it’s common to see the group ‘tremendous new Moon’ or ‘new Moon supermoons’ being quoted in fashionable media.
The brand new Moon supermoons in 2023 are extensively accepted to be as follows:
- 21 January 2023: 356,571 km (221,562 miles)
- 20 February 2023: 359,065 km (223,112 miles)
- 21 Mar 2023: 366,161 km (227,522 miles)
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