Spy Car Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Was I alone in seeing the moon last night looking like a "smile" rather than a "crescent"??? It was weird. Can someone explain what that was about? That's not "normal" is it? Or have I just not been paying attention :001_huh: Bill (who feels he losing touch with reality :tongue_smilie:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smrtmama Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Was I alone in seeing the moon last night looking like a "smile" rather than a "crescent"??? It was weird. Can someone explain what that was about? That's not "normal" is it? Or have I just not been paying attention :001_huh: Bill (who feels he losing touch with reality :tongue_smilie:) This blog seems like it might be addressing the phenomenon you're describing, a "new crescent moon," or the very first sliver of crescent moon signaling the next lunar cycle. The picture used on some of the pages looks more like a smile than a crescent. Obviously, the moon you saw wouldn't be the newest crescent moon, but maybe it's just the skinnier sliver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Was I alone in seeing the moon last night looking like a "smile" rather than a "crescent"??? It was weird. Can someone explain what that was about? That's not "normal" is it? Or have I just not been paying attention :001_huh: Bill (who feels he losing touch with reality :tongue_smilie:) I think it's quite obvious the moon was happy to see you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 And she doesn't even like Alice in Wonderland (well except for the cat!). DD8 and I stood outside in the cold quite a while last night looking at the stars--and that BEAUTIFUL moon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 And she doesn't even like Alice in Wonderland (well except for the cat!). DD8 and I stood outside in the cold quite a while last night looking at the stars--and that BEAUTIFUL moon! That's what I said to my son...it looks like the Cheshire Cat. At least I wasn't the only one :lol: So is this a regular occurrence that, somehow, in my 5 decades on the planet I've just failed to notice??? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tadbhoward Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I saw it for the first time last month and then again last night. I had never seen it look like a smile before either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 That's what I said to my son...it looks like the Cheshire Cat. At least I wasn't the only one :lol: So is this a regular occurrence that, somehow, in my 5 decades on the planet I've just failed to notice??? Bill I said it to the dog :001_huh:.......he seemed unimpressed ...but I also wondered how in my 5.5 decades, I was only just noticing this.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 ...but I also wondered how in my 5.5 decades, I was only just noticing this.:) I did ask my son (5.5) if he'd ever seen the moon look like that. Never in all my life Daddy :lol: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 I saw it for the first time last month and then again last night. I had never seen it look like a smile before either. I'm at least finding comfort knowing I wasn't alone. Did you find it spectacularly unusual? Or was it just ho-hum? Bill (who will admit it freaked him out :D) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in KS Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I first noticed this moon about a month ago and thought it was a weird partial eclipse. I discovered it has to do with the orbit, how close it is to the horizon and how close you are to the equator. http://feu.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070124232310AAIcS9k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 I first noticed this moon about a month ago and thought it was a weird partial eclipse. I discovered it has to do with the orbit, how close it is to the horizon and how close you are to the equator. http://feu.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070124232310AAIcS9k Oh sure, use science :D So how often does this Cheshire Cat moon happen? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I did ask my son (5.5) if he'd ever seen the moon look like that. Never in all my life Daddy :lol: Bill Oh, to have a 5.5 year old again -- well, hmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe not......I'll have to make do with the 10 year old and the 9 year old twins......and there are the grand-daughters: 6.5 and 4. Spectacularly unusual? Well, noticeably unusual......which I think is a great thing b/c it has given me cause to stop focusing on the snow and all the stuff with our house and look beyond all of that so as not to miss 'spectacularly unusual' things! So, while there may not be any flowers to stop and sniff, there is a moon to see. Thank You! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I remember seeing this kind of moon in years' past. Mostly in the winter. We've always called them Cheshire moons too. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 That's what I said to my son...it looks like the Cheshire Cat. At least I wasn't the only one :lol: So is this a regular occurrence that, somehow, in my 5 decades on the planet I've just failed to notice??? Bill This is an easy one! Bill, it's just God smiling down on you and yours. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I've seen a smiling moon in Hawaii and a huge, double haloed moon as well. The moon there is so beautiful. Maybe it's just that the weather is so nice that it's easy to go outside and watch all those things. We used to live in a high rise in Chicago on the lake, and the moon was gorgeous there, too, especially reflecting on the lake, but I don't remember any smiling ones. Single haloes, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowan25 Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 That's what I said to my son...it looks like the Cheshire Cat. At least I wasn't the only one :lol: So is this a regular occurrence that, somehow, in my 5 decades on the planet I've just failed to notice??? Bill Yep, that's what we said too!! :lol: Though I also called it a Horned Moon since it looked like bulls horns to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 My kids always call this the Cheshire Moon. We have seen them before but I am especially tuned into the moon. I am always awestruck by the moon, every single time I see it. Seriously, it is not safe for me to drive anytime we have afull moon near the horizon or any even slightly unusual moon phenomenon. I will drive right off the road looking at the moon. I am not much better with walking. I need to be stationary when observing the moon so as to give it my full attention. Lucky for me, that is very easy to do as my deck in the backyard gives me a perfect view of the moon and I get to observe it on a regular basis when I let the dog out each night. My kids find my fascination with the moon somewhat amusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Was I alone in seeing the moon last night looking like a "smile" rather than a "crescent"??? It was weird. Can someone explain what that was about? That's not "normal" is it? Or have I just not been paying attention :001_huh: Bill (who feels he losing touch with reality :tongue_smilie:) It definately was an Alice in Wonderland moon. I kept expecting the eyes to appear.... a little spooky quite honestly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 This is an easy one! Bill, it's just God smiling down on you and yours. :lol: That what we said last night when my husband pointed out "Hey, look at the moon, its smiling!" ( I've never noticed a a smiley moon either) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 When my daughter was 2 or 3, she and dad liked to go look at the moon. (They still do, occasionally, but she really liked it at that age.) They would look out the back door first, then she would demand to see the "other one moon." So, they would go out the front door and look at the "other one moon." Since she was so young, we never figured out if she actually thought there were two different moons or she just liked making dad look at it with her from the front and back of the house. We kept telling her there was only one moon, but there is only so much (or maybe none!) reasoning you can do with a 2 or 3 year old, at some point you just have to go with the flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 (edited) Ah. It is also called the "Wet Moon." The period where this is most common, January 20 - February 18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_moon http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/a/can-the-moon-be-wet-or-dry Edited February 19, 2010 by Hathersage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I first noticed this moon about a month ago and thought it was a weird partial eclipse. I discovered it has to do with the orbit, how close it is to the horizon and how close you are to the equator. http://feu.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070124232310AAIcS9k Thanks for this! Every time I've been to Singapore (2 degrees North latitude) I've been shocked to see just the bottom half of the moon. I've asked my host about it, but they didn't think it was such a big deal. The reason it was so notable to me is that I have never seen the moon look like that around here. I'll have to look for it now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCB Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 It's nice to know I'm not the only one too. My six year old DD and I saw it 2 nights ago and were amazed. I thought I must just be spectacularly unobservant because I don't remember seeing it before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 And she doesn't even like Alice in Wonderland (well except for the cat!). DD8 and I stood outside in the cold quite a while last night looking at the stars--and that BEAUTIFUL moon! That's what my dd and I said too. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Oh - I assumed the Vancouver Olympic Committee arranged that too. We have beautiful clear nights (dropping below zero even in the city) and the moon has been adding to the light shows etc. You mean VANOC can't claim credit for this? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Ah. It is also called the a "Wet Moon." The period where this is most common, January 20 - February 18 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wet_moon http://www.farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/a/can-the-moon-be-wet-or-dry Well, now see, I haven't been paying attention long enough to notice that. Interesting piece of trivia to add to my collection of moon facts. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I noticed it last night too, from Oregon. I don't ever remember seeing the moon like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 I noticed it last night too, from Oregon. I don't ever remember seeing the moon like that. That's what I'm thinking. Never. seen. it. like. that. Ever! But no one is talking about it. Except us :D Bill (amazed) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole M Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I loved it! I was coming home from a fantastic concert featuring the Brandenburg Concerto, and it looked to me like a cradle hanging just above my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 That's what I'm thinking. Never. seen. it. like. that. Ever! But no one is talking about it. Except us :D Bill (amazed) Well, it was significant enough to be a part of Hawaiian mythology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElaineJ Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I noticed this too and wondered about it, but was too busy (lazy?;)) to look it up last night. So thanks, all, for doing the work for me! It was very beautiful and interesting to look at. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 Well, it was significant enough to be a part of Hawaiian mythology. Funny you mention that, because this morning I was thinking that I was so taken aback by the appearance of the moon that were I living in ancient times I would likely have looked for (or helped invent) a mythological explanation for this strange occurrence. It was so unsettling to my psyche that I long for an explanation. The wiki article suggests this wet moon might happen yearly? But I've never seen a moon like this. So have I been inattentive, or is this moon really different??? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Funny you mention that, because this morning I was thinking that I was so taken aback by the appearance of the moon that were I living in ancient times I would likely have looked for (or helped invent) a mythological explanation for this strange occurrence. It was so unsettling to my psyche that I long for an explanation. The wiki article suggests this wet moon might happen yearly? But I've never seen a moon like this. So have I been inattentive, or is this moon really different??? Bill From what I can tell it happens yearly, a passing from winter into spring event. Here's an explanation I found, but I can't understand: http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q2685.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 From what I can tell it happens yearly, a passing from winter into spring event. Here's an explanation I found, but I can't understand: http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q2685.html So this happens EVERY YEAR, and it's just taken a half-a-century for me to notice??? It that what you are telling me?????? :tongue_smilie: I'm not sure I can accept this :lol: Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 So this happens EVERY YEAR, and it's just taken a half-a-century for me to notice??? It that what you are telling me?????? :tongue_smilie: I'm not sure I can accept this :lol: Bill That's what we are telling ya, Bill. ;) I know the feeling though, when you notice something for the first time that has always been that way and when you ask around people look at you like you are crazy and then once you do notice it, it is so incredibly obvious that you wonder how it is possible that you didn't notice it before. It is terribly upsetting. I have taken to telling myself that I must have noticed it previously but that I forgot because you know, that is must less unsettling. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 They showed a really cool video of that moon on my local news and clouds passing. It looked so neat but I can't find it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Sherry Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I did ask my son (5.5) if he'd ever seen the moon look like that. Never in all my life Daddy :lol: Bill I like your sons answer. :lol: My dh and I were noticing the moon last night too, and thought it looked unusual. How did we all manage to get this old and not remember seeing the moon look just that way before ? I am 48. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 So this happens EVERY YEAR, and it's just taken a half-a-century for me to notice??? It that what you are telling me?????? :tongue_smilie: I'm not sure I can accept this :lol: Bill Even the farmer's almanac doesn't give us a heads up. :001_huh: I had to dig around to find an explanation on their website. So, how are we supposed to know to look for it?! As for me, I'm not usually outside this time of year looking at the night sky, so I have yet to see it. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 It was so unsettling to my psyche My oldest son was completely unnerved by it. We were out for a walk, and he wouldn't let go of my hand...and he's "too Old" to hold hands with his mom now. The wiki article suggests this wet moon might happen yearly? But I've never seen a moon like this. So have I been inattentive, or is this moon really different??? The weather isn't that great in Jan/Feb. Lots of cloudy nights, at least where I live. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sputterduck Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I saw it last night. I, too, have never ever ever ever seen that before. Clearly it's the end of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Marple Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 That was the sweetest moon I have seen in a while! It made me smile... I was wondering if there are any tribes/sects/etc who might have attached some sort of significance to it. It seemed special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepymommy Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I did see the smiling moon last night. I don't remember ever seeing it like that before, I guess it's taken me several decades to notice as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hathersage Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 OK, this is probably only of interest to myself, but I found an article from 1909 on the wet and dry moon for Popular Astronomy in the astrophysics data system. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1909PA.....17...11B Umm, yeah I might be OCD :tongue_smilie: But I prefer to think of myself as the needle in a haystack researcher. Plus, I learned that there is a Digital Library for Physics and Astronomy. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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