If the Moon is in its gibbous phase, is right ascensions of the Sun and the Moon differ by less than 6 hours or just around 6 hours?
2006-08-31 14:11:59 · 3 answers · asked by Jasmine 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
6 hours = 90 degrees
last quarter = a 90 degree angle
It would have to be at least slightly greater than this to be a gibbous phase
Whether it is a ± 90 degree angle depends on if you measure the angle clockwide or counterclockwise.
The convention I'm using here assumes
0° = new moon
90 = 1st quarter
±180 = full
270° = -90 = last quarter
So it would be greater than -90 in this sense or between 270° and 360° to be a gibbous phase, since the quarter phases are at ±90° ideally.
Different angular conventions may be used depending on the problem you are trying to solve or whichever convention is more convenient for a particular application.
2006-08-31 14:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by Jay T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More that 6. 6 would be a half moon and 12 would be a full Moon.
2006-08-31 21:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The right ascensions and declinations of the Sun, Moon and planets change continuously.
2006-08-31 21:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋