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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1006
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I'm not a very big moon watcher, but not a complete beginner. I have a question about something I saw that I thought interesting.
The last couple of nights, with a binocular (16x70 stopped down to 46mm), I was surprised to see the old moon, with the phase being slightly past first quarter. I had never noticed the old moon before, except pretty much in new moon's arms.
Is this a common sight? Maybe I just somehow ignored it before. How late has the old moon been seen?
Thanks,
Ron
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kx9i
super member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 112
Loc: Phoenix, AZ USA
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Hi Ron,
I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you seeing features in the dark region of the Moon with your binoculars? If so, I've only seen that once from my populous urban setting, and that was through a 5" SCT telescope. I imagine it's a lot easier under a rural/darker sky than mine, but I don't know for sure.
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1006
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Thanks for the reply Alex. No, I'm not seeing any features on the old moon, just a ghostly glow completing the circle begun by the limb of the brightly lit side. It seems somewhat brighter around the limb than in the interior region. I was surprised to see anything other than inky blackness there with the moon so bright, greater than half-full. Is this a common sight, and how far along towards full has the "old moon" been seen?
I saw it again last night, at 61% illumination. I did not see it right away, but after a couple of minutes for my eyes to adjust to the view, there was no doubt. I'll try again tonight, as its going to be a painfully clear night here at 7400 ft. in dry-aired New Mexico.
One fellow on the binoculars forum said he had seen the old moon at "practically all" phases. This did not strike me as an easy or obvious view! So, I am pursuing it for fun.
Ron
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1006
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The third night, with the terminator slightly past Copernicus, I could not see the old moon.
Ron
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kx9i
super member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 112
Loc: Phoenix, AZ USA
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When you say "old moon" are you referring to the outline of the dark portion against the sky? That would make sense to me based on your earlier comments. I've been to New Mexico several times, and remember what wonder light during the day you have, and how dark the skies are just outside of town.
I have seen the old moon I'm describing, but I don't believe I've seen the outline clearly against the sky during all phases, just the early ones when the crescent is less than 1st, or beyond the last quarter.
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1006
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Yes, Alex, that's what I saw. A common sight in a narrow crescent phase, but it seemed odd at gibbous.
I do think the clear air must have helped. It's not always that clear here. Now I've figured a use for a super-clear night when the "annoying" moon is bright!
Ron
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PeteLawrence
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/07/06
Posts: 1781
Loc: Selsey, UK
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Hi Ron,
The camera still 'sees' the late earthshine at 9.75d. Not checked tonight's attempt but when I do, I'll keep you posted.
--------------------
Best regards,
Pete Lawrence
http://www.digitalsky.org.uk
http://www.sunwatching.co.uk
http://www.moonwatching.co.uk
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1006
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Pete,
Thanks, but the image puzzles me. I see an overexposed gibbous moon, but not the dim remainder of the circle which would be "old moon" illuminated by earthshine. Would you please explain?
Ron
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kx9i
super member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 112
Loc: Phoenix, AZ USA
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Ron,
When I see the old Moon's partial disk, it's always against a background sky that's just slightly lighter than that disk. Maybe the NM sky is so dark that it can't be distinguished from the old Moon?
If that's true, I'd be happy to send you some of our polluted air to lighten them up a bit 
Seriously, though, I can't say that I've seen it much beyond a crescent.
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entropyorganizer
member
Reged: 01/26/06
Posts: 52
Loc: Houston, Texas
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earthshine perhaps?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthshine
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