We can see more than 50% of the moons surface, Does the moon wobble in orbit?

Question

Or is it sight prospective angle as the earth rotates that allows us to see more than 50%? Could it be the earths atmosphere that bends light waves like a pencil in a glass of water. The moon looks larger near the horizon, (looking through the most atmosphere) Does the atmosphere also distort the actual position or other heavenly body's? Does the HST have to veiw a star at a different position, than a telescope on earth for the same star?

After reading about liberation, I am convinced now more than ever that the apparent wobble of the moon is actually point of sight angle. If you could travel with the moon directly overhead (moon noon) for 24 hours the moon would not appear to wobble at all. It is the angle at which you veiw it. the reason it appears to wobble east to west is because the earth rotates west to east.

Answer 1

It doesn't wobble exactly, though if appears that way from Earth. The main cause of this libration, as the wobble is called, is that the moon's orbit is slightly elliptical. This makes it move faster in its obit at some times (when it's closer to Earth). Its axial rotation, however, is at a constant speed, so the axial rotation and orbital revolution don't quite perfectly synchronize. So when the moon is moving fast, we see a little more of the trailing edge, and when its slow, a little more of the leading edge.

Some of the wobble is also due to the tilt of the moon's axis and the inclination of its orbit relative to ours.

Answer 2

A Moon Wobble

A Moon Wobble is generally an unsettling time of sudden ups and downs, increased accidents and violence, unusual or extreme weather, greater incidence of earth activity, e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and intense, often volitile emotional behavior. People feel more restless and are more likely to over-react to problems. Anything begun during a Moon Wobble is usually short-lived because of the unstable energy--on average lasting 3 months to one year. Moon Wobbles have benefits, too. They can be very stimulating times, bringing new contacts, innovative ideas, heightened creativity, and unexpected opportunites. Use them to gather information and consider different options, but wait until they are over to make final agreements and actually begin new ventures. This powerful cycle was first recognized, then researched and named by noted American Mathematician and astrologer Carl Payne Tobey. He found that these cycles of intensified energies occur when the transiting Sun makes contact with the Lunar Nodes (the Lunar Nodes are where the orbit of the Moon intersects the orbit of the Earth around the Sun). There are usually 3.5 to 4 Moon Wobbles a year; however, occasionally there are 5, as in 1996. Today, Signe Quinn Taff, protege of Carl Payne Tobey and outstanding astrologer in her own right, is the definitive authority on Moon Wobbles. She has calculated the dates for the Moon Wobbles given on StarCycling tapes and information sheets. The focus for Moon Wobble phenomena varies according to the sign the Moon Wobble is occurring in; however, there are some general "rules of thumb" that apply to all Moon Wobbles. Try to AVOID:Buying a home or moving Starting a new job or project Having important medical work done Having major car or home repairs done Taking long-distance trips: If you do travel, BE FLEXIBLE! Having arguments or confrontations with the closest people in your life. They can easily escalate out of proportion and be very difficult to resolve. REMEMBER to:Remind yourself it is a Moon Wobble when difficulties arise Try to ACT not REACT in dealing with problems Be flexible and roll with the punches Drive with extra care Expect the unexpected!

Answer 3

It does indeed have a slight wobble. This is easily seen when taking still photos of the moons progression of phases and setting them to an animation. There is no atmospheric distortion...it's real.

Answer 4

Yes, the Moon wobbles. There is a small perspective effect too. Refraction in the atmosphere is not a cause however.

Answer 5

About 59% of the moon is actually visible because of a wobble called libration. It causes no catastrophies or plagues and happens constantly. Here's a site on it;

http://www.idialstars.com/luli.htm