Who will be the first to spot the New Moon by naked eye after its conjunction in longitude with the Sun on 2004 APR 19 at 13:21 UT (08:21 CDT)?
The contest went well last month. Daniel in Michigan spotted the Moon aged 25:37. That was only 11 minutes sooner than Tommy in Illinois. Daniel even provided a really nice photo. The April winner will likely be observing from the Eastern Hemisphere. But folks from all parts of the world are invited to participate in regional contests. No prizes - just bragging rights.
By the way, it was this first sighting of a slim crescent that was traditionally called the New Moon. The time near the actual conjunction was called Dark Moon. Modern calendar makers tend to equate the New Moon with the conjunction.
I have created a graphic showing the western sky a half hour after sunset on 2004 APR 20 as seen from Chicago's Adler Planetarium. Under those circumstances the Moon will be at Azimuth 285.3 and Altitude +8.8. The Sun will be at Azimuth 291.8 and Altitude -5.6. Note: Azimuth 270 is due west; Altitude 0 is the horizon. The Moon will be 1.9% illuminated. That means that 1.9% of the area of the Moon's apparent disk will be lit. Equivalently, it means that the thickest portion of the lunar crescent will be 1.9% of the lunar diameter.
Click link to see graphic:
http://www.curtrenz.com/astro2.html
Please report your results with time, location and description in a reply to this post. Photos would be welcome.
Good Luck to All
The contest went well last month. Daniel in Michigan spotted the Moon aged 25:37. That was only 11 minutes sooner than Tommy in Illinois. Daniel even provided a really nice photo. The April winner will likely be observing from the Eastern Hemisphere. But folks from all parts of the world are invited to participate in regional contests. No prizes - just bragging rights.
By the way, it was this first sighting of a slim crescent that was traditionally called the New Moon. The time near the actual conjunction was called Dark Moon. Modern calendar makers tend to equate the New Moon with the conjunction.
I have created a graphic showing the western sky a half hour after sunset on 2004 APR 20 as seen from Chicago's Adler Planetarium. Under those circumstances the Moon will be at Azimuth 285.3 and Altitude +8.8. The Sun will be at Azimuth 291.8 and Altitude -5.6. Note: Azimuth 270 is due west; Altitude 0 is the horizon. The Moon will be 1.9% illuminated. That means that 1.9% of the area of the Moon's apparent disk will be lit. Equivalently, it means that the thickest portion of the lunar crescent will be 1.9% of the lunar diameter.
Click link to see graphic:
http://www.curtrenz.com/astro2.html
Please report your results with time, location and description in a reply to this post. Photos would be welcome.
Good Luck to All
For astronomical graphics, including
monthly wallpaper calendar, visit:
CurtRenz.com/astronomical
Curt Renz
