Common Misunderstandings About the Moon and Its Phases
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Understanding the Moon's Phases
In this segment, we continue our exploration of widespread misconceptions about space, specifically focusing on our planet's natural satellite, the Moon. A common belief is that a crescent moon appears due to the Earth's shadow covering parts of it.
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Section 1.1 The Myth of the Earth's Shadow
Contrary to popular belief, the Moon is seldom obscured by Earth's shadow; this only occurs during lunar eclipses, which happen infrequently—roughly every few months. During these events, we experience either a partial or total eclipse. A penumbral eclipse, which casts a subtle reddish hue often referred to as a “Blood Moon,” occurs more regularly. However, the Moon's phases are visible every day and are not contingent on Earth's shadow.
When the alignment of the Moon, Sun, and Earth allows for a “half-moon” to be seen, it's important to note that the Moon is not in Earth's shadow. The various phases of the Moon arise solely from the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Typically, 50% of the Moon's surface is illuminated by the Sun. However, the Moon does not always present its lit side directly toward Earth, leading to the recognizable crescent shape.
Section 1.2 The Rotation of the Moon
A misconception persists that the Moon doesn't rotate because we only see one side of it from Earth (in reality, about 59% due to lunar libration).
In truth, the Moon rotates both around its own axis and around Earth. The duration of its axial rotation matches the time it takes to orbit Earth, meaning that as the Moon completes a quarter of its orbit, it also rotates a quarter turn, resulting in the same side always facing us.
The phenomenon of lunar libration occurs because the Moon's orbit is elliptical and its rotational axis is tilted in relation to its orbital plane. This causes slight variations, allowing observers on Earth to glimpse a small portion of the Moon's far side.
Section 1.3 The Hollow Moon Theory
Many people might recall the fictional story “Dunno on the Moon” by Nikolay Nosov, which describes a habitable, hollow Moon. Surprisingly, some individuals believe the Moon is indeed hollow and possibly an artificial entity, like a spaceship from Nibiru.
However, scientifically speaking, the Moon is not hollow. The last notable scientist to entertain the hollow Moon theory was Edmund Halley in the 17th century, but such notions have long been debunked.
Evidence against the hollow Moon theory includes measurements of its moment of inertia, which indicate it behaves like a solid body. Additionally, seismic data collected from instruments left on the lunar surface by astronauts show no significant voids beneath.
Chapter 2 Debunking Lunar Landing Myths
One of the most enduring myths is that the United States never landed astronauts on the Moon. In reality, this event is universally accepted among qualified experts in the field of space exploration, despite skepticism from those unfamiliar with the science involved.
Many doubts regarding lunar missions stem from a lack of understanding of physics and the history of space exploration. In fact, NASA's official records confirm six successful moon landings, a fact that surprises about 70% of skeptics.
The first video titled "Misconceptions About Space, Time & The Universe" explores various myths surrounding space and can provide further insights into this topic.
The second video, "Rocket Science: 3 Common Misconceptions," delves into common misunderstandings in the field of rocketry, enhancing our understanding of space travel.
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