Sunday, February 10, 2013

Moon Phases - An Examination


There are parts during the film that capture the moon in the background. This can be compared with lunar charts in an attempt to determine if the corresponding date is accurate for it's cycle. To do this the website www.stardate.org is a handy resource which tracks moon phases. Below are three different comparisons of the video and lunar phases.

Example #1 - May 17th, 2009

(Unknown object above the Marmara Sea)

During May 17th The camera zooms in several times on the background moon making it possible to compare with official lunar charts to check for time and date accuracy.

May 17, 2009 Moon Example:



The corresponding lunar phase for May 17, 2009 looks similar to the moon cycle in the footage.


Reference:
Stardate.org May 2009 Moon Phases
May 17, 2009 Video Footage

A beach front light, which exist in the area, can be seen towards the lower left .



Example #2 - May 27, 2008


At first glance the lunar phase for the corresponding date of May 27, 2008 appears to be similar.


May 27, 2008 Video

Example #3 - May 23, 2008


The time and date also looks to be accurately labeled in the original video which matches it's correct lunar phase.


Stardate.org May 2008 Moon Phases
May 23, 2008 Video

Comparisons appear to show that the video dates match their correct lunar phase. A few factors can sometimes make these comparisons difficult. When recording video of a bright moon it can sometimes result in distortion. Also, factors such as atmospheric hazing can come in to play. But, thanks to Murat Yalcin taking time to focus, the moon images ended up in pretty good quality. In my opinion the evidence does not point towards any issues with the moon phases, which seem right for the corresponding dates.

Why does the moon have phases?

The Moon has phases because it orbits Earth, which causes the part we see illuminated to change. The Moon takes 27.3 days to orbit Earth, but the lunar phase cycle (from new Moon to new Moon) is 29.5 days. The Moon spends the extra 2.2 days "catching up" because Earth travels about 45 million miles around the Sun during the time the Moon completes one orbit around Earth.

At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight. At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated. In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later. At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight." span="" />

At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated. In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later. At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight.

The full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox is commonly referred to as the "Harvest Moon," since its bright presence in the night sky allows farmers to work longer into the fall night, reaping the rewards of their spring and summer labors. Because the equinox always falls in late September, it is generally a full Moon in September which is given this name, although in some years the full Moon of early October earns the "harvest" designation.

Reference: www.stardate.org


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