The moon, the celestial body that has accompanied the earth for the longest time, has attracted the attention of mankind since ancient times with its mysterious light and unpredictable form. In ancient stargazing cultures, the moon was given various names according to its different forms, the most well-known of which are the first and last quarters.
The moon appears in different phases because its position around the Earth is constantly changing, causing the rays from the Sun to hit the Moon to appear in different shadows on Earth. The first quarter moon usually occurs around the 7th or 8th day of the lunar month, when the Moon is 90° away from the Sun, and the Moon as seen from the Earth is shaped like a "D" shape, with the bright side facing west.
The appearance of the first quarter moon is like a light in the sky, adding a sense of mystery and tranquility to the western sky from evening to the first half of the night. At sunset, the first quarter moon slowly rises, like a scimitar hanging from the sky, illuminating the earth. At this time, the appearance of the first quarter moon seems to be a signal to remind people that night is coming, and it is also time to slow down and enjoy a moment of tranquility.
The second quarter moon occurs around the 22nd or 23rd lunar month of each month, when the Moon is again at 90° relative to the Sun, but the shape of the Moon as seen from the Earth is very different from the first quarter of the month, like a "C" shape, with the bright side facing east. The second quarter moon is the brightest in the eastern sky between the early morning and the second half of the night, when it appears at sunrise and the moon is facing east.
The appearance of the last quarter moon is like a smile in the sky, adding warmth and hope to the upcoming dawn. As the moon slowly rises, the sky gradually turns white, the night is about to disperse, and everything is waiting for a new day. The appearance of the last quarter moon seems to be a kind of farewell, farewell to the darkness and cold of the past, and welcome new hopes and opportunities.
It is important to note that due to the inclination of the Moon's orbit, this results in a slight difference in the exact time observed in the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere. In addition, due to the elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit and the disturbance caused by the non-standard ellipse of the Moon's orbit, the actual occurrence time may deviate by about one day.
In addition to its important role in stargazing culture, the first and last quarters are also widely used in other fields. For example, in photography, painting and other artistic creations, the shape and position of the first and second quarters of the moon have become important reference factors for artists to pursue a sense of realism. In addition, in some traditional cultures, the first and second quarters of the moon are also endowed with auspicious, reunion and other beautiful meanings, and have become an indispensable part of people's lives.
As we draw to the end of this article, I would like to say to all readers who love astronomy, culture, and the arts: I hope you have gained a deeper understanding of the timing and significance of the first and second quarters of the moon through this article. If you want to know more about the story of the moon, the starry sky and cultural traditions, welcome to follow, comment, bookmark and **. In the meantime, don't forget to visit my homepage, where more cultural interpretations and travel stories await you, let's travel through the world of words and discover the secrets of human civilization!
How to divide the first and second quarters