Moon phases from the ground and space
Simulation of the Moon's orbit, phases, and ground view.
Main Window: Wide angle view (122°) facing due south from Towson, MD, USA.
Time is accelerated to illustrate the diurnal motion of the sky from 20 Feb 04 April, 2017.
The simulation begins with the Moon at Third Quarter phase and on the Meridian as seen from Towson. The Moon completes a full lunar cycle and extends to the following cycle's First Quarter, for 1.5 lunar cycle in total ending in early April 2017.
Left inset:
The orbit of the Moon in 2017, viewed from the north pole of the ecliptic, with the vernal equinox to the right. The sizes of the Earth and Moon are exaggerated by a factor of 15.
Right inset:
The phase and libration of the Moon for 2017, at hourly intervals.
Credits
Stellarium (http://www.stellarium.org/)
NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio (https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov)
Visualization Credits
* Ernie Wright (USRA): Lead Visualizer
* John Keller (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
* Noah Petro (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
* David Ladd (USRA): Producer
Moon Phase and Libration, 2017 (http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4537)
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