This is the post I been promising for a long time.
The idea is very simple. If you know your basic astronomy, you can use both the moon and the sun to tell time and direction.
The Ecliptic is the path the sun takes in the sky. While the sun and moon does not follow the ecliptic dead on, it is still valid to say the sun and the moon rises in the East, and sets in the West.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic
As the Moon goes through each of its phase, it revolves around the earth, which causes it to rise and set at different times. Therefore the full moon, will rise at 6PM and set at 6AM, and a new moon will rise at 6AM, and set at 6PM. However, we can not see the new moon, because the side of the moon that is getting sun is facing away from us.
This has some vocabulary, and a still frame of what I am talking about.
http://www.teachersparadise.com/ency/en/wikipedia/l/lu/lunar_phase.html
Additionally, the following site has a interactive application, which you can set the moon to different phases and see what times they rise and set.
http://www.samuelwat.com/peabody/detailedmoon/index.html
A waxing gibbous will rise at 3PM and set at 3 AM.
Notes:
Daylight light savings time has to be taken into consideration.
The moon does vary slightly in rise and set times, but it is not enough to discredit the use of the moon to get an approximation of what time it is. The following link can tell you exact time of rising setting based on your location.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php
Waxing - Moon is becoming fuller, and it lighted on the right side (Think about waxing a car with your right hand)
Waning - Moon disappears, and it is dark on the right side.
I believe in the Southern Hemisphere this is all flipped, but I would have to double check on the fact. If anyone knows, let me know.
I did a previous post on using the sun as a compass for anyone interested.
http://ontologicalthinker.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-compass-no-problem.html
Showing posts with label astronomy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label astronomy. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Randomness
I find my blog is very random, but that is perhaps because life is very random, or maybe it is just me. I just know that you can not just focus one thing, because you need multiple skills to survive in life.
I do like to talk about my projects, but I find I have so little time to work on them.
But, I do like to shy away politics and news, because if you are reading my blog, then you probably already read the news. I have long since said what I thought politics and the news. Which is pay attention to it! Use your brains. Do not let doublethink or minispeak confuse you. However, on the topic of news, there was barely any ammo at Wal-Mart today. I noticed some that were completely out stock previously had some, so they must be restocking, but it just flies of the shelf too fast. This perturbs me.
I read on Texas Preppers Blog today about group survival. I find that so few people think about that. It is encouraged when you go camping or even swimming to have at least a buddy. The hardest part about that idea though is that it is hard to find good people. During Ike, my neighborhood did not get together. Each neighbor took care of themselves, however in other parts of Houston there were apartment complexes, and even this couple I meet where they did work together and combined resources. I suppose the most difficult part of group work (in any form) is you do not want to have slacker/parasite that only brings the group down.
By the way, if you get a chance to, go check out Wolf Track's Patch. It is pretty neat.(Ya, I know The Texas Preppers got to it already. They are a good one to check out, too.)
Last bit of randomness. My next post is going to cover how to tell time with the Moon. It is not hard, but it is useful.
I do like to talk about my projects, but I find I have so little time to work on them.
But, I do like to shy away politics and news, because if you are reading my blog, then you probably already read the news. I have long since said what I thought politics and the news. Which is pay attention to it! Use your brains. Do not let doublethink or minispeak confuse you. However, on the topic of news, there was barely any ammo at Wal-Mart today. I noticed some that were completely out stock previously had some, so they must be restocking, but it just flies of the shelf too fast. This perturbs me.
I read on Texas Preppers Blog today about group survival. I find that so few people think about that. It is encouraged when you go camping or even swimming to have at least a buddy. The hardest part about that idea though is that it is hard to find good people. During Ike, my neighborhood did not get together. Each neighbor took care of themselves, however in other parts of Houston there were apartment complexes, and even this couple I meet where they did work together and combined resources. I suppose the most difficult part of group work (in any form) is you do not want to have slacker/parasite that only brings the group down.
By the way, if you get a chance to, go check out Wolf Track's Patch. It is pretty neat.(Ya, I know The Texas Preppers got to it already. They are a good one to check out, too.)
Last bit of randomness. My next post is going to cover how to tell time with the Moon. It is not hard, but it is useful.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Lost Arts
We are so dependent upon people making things for us. I know it is because of the economic principle of how much our time is worth, and it is not worth our time to grow and or kill our own food, and process it. Also it is not worth our time to make candy, toys, butter, candles, or even sew our own clothing. However, if these services for some reason were not available, most people would not know what to do.
So along with my urge to stock, as mentioned previously, I have decided to embark on the lost arts. I want to make a book out of what I try and what I fail at. I know there are many resources both via the internet, and via books that are available, which I intend to use; however, there is nothing like experimenting and understanding first hand how different things react. (I already understand what not to put together thanks to high school chemistry, so do not worry, I shall not cause too much harm to myself.)
I found this one blog that maybe of assistance to me, and to anyone else who wishes to embark on the lost arts. The Lost Arts.
Also, I am proud to announce I have acquired a telescope. It is not a big one, but it was inexpensive, and of decent quality. I was going to build one, but I have not had a chance, nor the money to do so. I am a bit of an astronomy buff.. unfortunately, I only really know the basics, but in theme of lost arts, I want to keep learning. about the night sky (and day sky). I know already that you can tell time, direction, and if you are good enough, even tell what day it is, with astronomy. I have posted before about using the sky to tell direction, if anyone wants to read it.
Take care and be well. If anyone else is embarking the lost arts, let me know about your trials and errors.
So along with my urge to stock, as mentioned previously, I have decided to embark on the lost arts. I want to make a book out of what I try and what I fail at. I know there are many resources both via the internet, and via books that are available, which I intend to use; however, there is nothing like experimenting and understanding first hand how different things react. (I already understand what not to put together thanks to high school chemistry, so do not worry, I shall not cause too much harm to myself.)
I found this one blog that maybe of assistance to me, and to anyone else who wishes to embark on the lost arts. The Lost Arts.
Also, I am proud to announce I have acquired a telescope. It is not a big one, but it was inexpensive, and of decent quality. I was going to build one, but I have not had a chance, nor the money to do so. I am a bit of an astronomy buff.. unfortunately, I only really know the basics, but in theme of lost arts, I want to keep learning. about the night sky (and day sky). I know already that you can tell time, direction, and if you are good enough, even tell what day it is, with astronomy. I have posted before about using the sky to tell direction, if anyone wants to read it.
Take care and be well. If anyone else is embarking the lost arts, let me know about your trials and errors.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
More planets? Didn't they say pluto wasn't one?
For all you astronomy lovers out there, The International Astronomical Union (IAU) discovered another planet. They have dubbed it, Makemake.
Fourth Dwarf Planet Named For Polynesian God
Also, on August 12, 2008 there will be the Perseids meteor shower (aka shooting stars.) It will be a beautiful site. (It can be used for a romantic outing.) (Binoculars are good for star viewing if you do not have telescope, but meteor showers can be seen without either.)
For more information on the meteor shower:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids
For tips on watching the meteor shower:
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
Enjoy.
Fourth Dwarf Planet Named For Polynesian God
Also, on August 12, 2008 there will be the Perseids meteor shower (aka shooting stars.) It will be a beautiful site. (It can be used for a romantic outing.) (Binoculars are good for star viewing if you do not have telescope, but meteor showers can be seen without either.)
For more information on the meteor shower:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseids
For tips on watching the meteor shower:
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
Enjoy.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
No compass? No problem.
As I have metioned before, as well progress with GPS and other forms of technology, we forget basic skills our societies have struggled to learn.
Navigation is one such skill.
There was a time where there were no compasses and such; however,the world knew how not to get lost.
They also knew the world was round, but I am not getting into that today. (If you care, comment.)
I personally think this information is good for either the survivalist, or anyone seeking common knowledge.
1. The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west.
(Duh, right?) Well there is more to it.
The sun will rise North of East and set North of West between the Spring Equinox (About March 20th) and the Autumnal Equinox. (about September 21st)
The equinoxes are the two days in the year when the hours of daylight equals hours of night.
During the equinoxes the sun rises and sets due East and due West, respectively.
Between the Autumnal and Spring Equinoxes, the sun will rise and set South of East and South of West.
On the Summer Solstice (about June 20th) the sun will rise and set at the most north.
On the Winter Solstice (about December 20th), the sun will set the most South.
2. To find north (this only works in the Northern Hemisphere) find the North Star. (The north star does not set or rise, therefore it does not go into the Southern Hemisphere. )
Look for a Big Dipper in the sky. Connect the stars on the right hand side of the dipper, going up and you will run into the North Star, which is also known as Polaris.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper
Polaris will match about what latitude you are on the Northern Hemisphere, because of the tilt of the earth. You can measure degrees by standing up, holding out your fist and matching it to the horizon (basically the ground) and count how many fists till the top your fist matches Polaris. Each fist equals about 5 degrees.
There is really no Star like Polaris for the Southern Hemisphere, therefore it is harder to explain using stars for direction.
Also, for a side note, the constellation Orion, the Moon, and the Sun can be used to tell time, but I am not going into that right now.
Navigation is one such skill.
There was a time where there were no compasses and such; however,the world knew how not to get lost.
They also knew the world was round, but I am not getting into that today. (If you care, comment.)
I personally think this information is good for either the survivalist, or anyone seeking common knowledge.
1. The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west.
(Duh, right?) Well there is more to it.
The sun will rise North of East and set North of West between the Spring Equinox (About March 20th) and the Autumnal Equinox. (about September 21st)
The equinoxes are the two days in the year when the hours of daylight equals hours of night.
During the equinoxes the sun rises and sets due East and due West, respectively.
Between the Autumnal and Spring Equinoxes, the sun will rise and set South of East and South of West.
On the Summer Solstice (about June 20th) the sun will rise and set at the most north.
On the Winter Solstice (about December 20th), the sun will set the most South.
2. To find north (this only works in the Northern Hemisphere) find the North Star. (The north star does not set or rise, therefore it does not go into the Southern Hemisphere. )
Look for a Big Dipper in the sky. Connect the stars on the right hand side of the dipper, going up and you will run into the North Star, which is also known as Polaris.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper
Polaris will match about what latitude you are on the Northern Hemisphere, because of the tilt of the earth. You can measure degrees by standing up, holding out your fist and matching it to the horizon (basically the ground) and count how many fists till the top your fist matches Polaris. Each fist equals about 5 degrees.
There is really no Star like Polaris for the Southern Hemisphere, therefore it is harder to explain using stars for direction.
Also, for a side note, the constellation Orion, the Moon, and the Sun can be used to tell time, but I am not going into that right now.
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