Moon light

[taws6]

Hi,

We've had some nice well lit nights lately, almost like it's daylight, sometimes even when it's cloudy.
Tonight the moon is out and bright (no clouds), but it's not really lighting up the ground, why?

Atmospheric conditions?
Does the moon have certain times it lighs up the ground better than others, and are these predictable?

Thanks for the insight

 

[Toddy]

It's waning and the angle's wrong.
I was out gardening in the dark a few nights ago when it was full. It's arc then was higher than that of the Sun's during the day.
It was a beautiful night

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Cobweb]

I think the rain has washed all of the atmospheric particles out of the air, that's why it seems so bright, the winter tends to have crisper light anyway 'cause of the cold!

 

[taws6]

Hmm, interesting explinations. So is there a way to predict when we'll have bright moonlit nights?

 

[Toddy]

Yep you need a Lunar almanac. The lunar calender only gives the fullness of the Moon, but the almanac ought to give the (I think) declination.
The US navy used to provide an online one. I'll see if I can find the link.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[taws6]

Woow, that sounds cool as, fingers crossed I hope you can find it...

 

[Toddy]

Okay, somewhere in here..............

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php

atb,
Toddy

 

[Ishmael]

Try time and date.com

 

[QDanT]

Okay, somewhere in here..............

http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php

atb,
Toddy

Great link
Danny

 

[Nagual]

If you use Windows 7, not sure about Vista, there are plenty of gadgets for moon, the one I use displays what it is in real time, and you can if you wish also call up the various bits of info, declination etc.

 

[QDanT]

http://www.fourmilab.ch/moontoolw/