The new moon is the first lunar phase , which leaves Earth’s natural satellite in shadow.
The modern definition of the new moon occurs “when the Moon and Sun are at the same geocentric ecliptic longitude,” explains NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio on its website . “The part of the Moon facing us is completely in shadow then."
“There’s a new moon about once a month, because the moon takes about a month to orbit Earth,” explains EarthSky . “Most of the time, the new moon passes not in front of the sun, but simply near it in our sky. That’s why, in most months, there’s no solar eclipse.”
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The February 2020 New Moon Is About Healing Your Spirit & Forgiving Yourself
There's no better time to start something new than on the new moon. In fact, beginning a project, setting an intention, or making a decision during this galvanizing lunation is what puts the "new" in new moon. If you make a point of taking the first step toward a goal on the new moon, you'll will see results by the time the corresponding full moon takes place six month later.
The lunar cycle is a constant ebb and flow of growth and release. As the moon waxes, it gains progress and strength. When the moon is full, it instigates a moment of revelation and completion. Then, the moon wanes, and it encourages spiritual rest and forgiveness. By the time the moon becomes new once again, the whole slate is wiped clean, and the night sky becomes a canvas on which you can begin painting something new.
Watch Mars 'sneak' behind the crescent moon in these amazing views (video) | Space
The Red Planet briefly disappeared behind the moon for skywatchers in North America on Tuesday (Feb. 18), providing a rare celestial treat for early risers and astrophotographers.
This game of cosmic "peekaboo" began early Tuesday morning, when the sun had already begun to rise above the U.S. East Coast and Mars had mostly faded into the daylight. However, skywatchers out west had a much better view of the planet as it was "eclipsed" by the moon — but those observers had to wake up well before the crack of dawn to witness the event, which is known as an occultation .
Modeling Moon by Holiday Mathis – Boston Herald
The witty conceptual artist John Baldessari had a popular piece called “Teaching a Plant the Alphabet,” in which he held up flashcards to unimpressed foliage. The master suggested: “When I think I’m teaching, I’m probably not. When I don’t think I’m teaching, I probably am.” Under the instructive Virgo moon, model the behavior you want to impart.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Settle yourself down and suddenly you’re headed toward a sort of wise passivity — a state of mind in which you will be able to observe what’s going on with very little interference from your own preferences or fears.
Many things are taking place:
See the moon, 3 planets and red star Antares arc over NYC (photos) | Space
Alexander Krivenyshev of WorldTimeZone.com photographed a gorgeous predawn sky show Thursday morning (Feb. 20), capturing the crescent moon , Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and the red star Antares arcing over the Big Apple.
Krivenyshev, who was observing from the New Jersey city of West New York, also homed in on the triangle formed by the moon, Saturn and Jupiter, snapping a more zoomed-in shot of the trio.
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This alignment was no one-off thing; these planets will remain clustered in the predawn sky for a while longer yet, so you can catch them yourself if you're willing to rise before the sun. The moon will become a lesser and lesser participant over the next few days, however, for it's waning toward its blacked-out new phase , which takes effect on Sunday (Feb. 23).
Does NASA Need the Moon to Go to Mars? - The Atlantic
Last week, NASA put out a call for applications for its next class of astronauts. In recent years, when the agency has asked for résumés, the job was shuttling back and forth between Earth and the International Space Station (ISS). But for the first time in nearly 50 years, some of the aspiring space travelers might be training for a mission to the moon.
President Donald Trump wants NASA to fly American astronauts to the lunar surface and beyond. Congress, the president said during his recent State of the Union address, should fund his administration's new program "to ensure that the next man and the first woman on the moon will be American astronauts." This effort, he said, would serve as "a launching pad to ensure that America is the first nation to plant its flag on Mars."
Watch Mars Disappear Behind the Moon in the Early Morning Sky - The New York Times
Look to the sky early on Tuesday, and the crescent moon will make Mars disappear. Then about an hour later, the red planet will return, as if nothing ever happened.
This celestial event is known as a Moon-Mars occultation, and it occurs from some vantage point on Earth about twice a year, according to NASA . Skywatchers from much of North and Central America will have a front-row seat to Tuesday's occultation, and those along part of the West Coast will have an especially good view, with a chance to watch the entire show before sunrise.
Here Are Five Myths About The Moon You Can Easily Disprove Yourself
This year's first supermoon potentially graced the sky on February 9. A supermoon is usually defined as the largest full moon possible.
This is a very loose definition and roughly means this happens when the full moon occurs within 10 percent of its closest to Earth.
From an observer's point of view, a supermoon is approximately just 14 percent bigger than when it's smallest. That said, if you were viewing a normal moon and a supermoon side by side, you would be able to spot the difference.
