Astronomy, The Sky and Outer Space

Hello, Looking out of my lounge window, just rising is a big moon, that during the night becomes a full moon. Then at dawn, just prior to it setting in the west, it becomes a red moon, through a period of eclipse. As I'm looking now, cloud is hiding it.

And typical, overcast, after a brilliantly clear full moon in the very early hours this morning. BTW, the full moon in March is known as the Worm Moon, if it occurrs on or after 21st March. If before the 21st, one of the many other names it's known by is the Crow Moon. See the list below for other some of the other names. •  Paschal Moon •  Lenten Moon •  Crust Moon •  Chaste Moon •  Sugar Moon •  Sap Moon

So what is the origin of those terms? The moon must have played such a part of peoples lives at some point, today its just a shiny rock in the night and sometimes day sky. The tides yes are influenced and predicted by the moon phases, do those names have any relevance to this phenomenon?

Gumnut, the short answer is yes, a very important part. Depending on the country of origin, these names evolved around pagan and prehistoric understandings. You'll note for the Worm Moon name, the decisive date also marks the Spring Equinox. If you have a look at one of many websites I use, Time & Date, they have a page HERE dedicated to the various names attributed to the full moon, and the basics behind the origins. The sun, moon, stars and many planetary aspects played a very large part in prehistoric humans, not just here, but around the world. There is a book published annually, called Gardening and planting By The Moon, avaialble from most good book sellers, online or over the counter and well worth a nosy. With today's science, some crops are grown under artificial conditions, using controlled irrigation and artificial light. Subterranean Horticulture, or as it seems to be called these days, Vertical Horticulture. Once Sci-Fi stuff and 21st Century, today, almost a daily reality.

Hello, An odd post from me mixing Astronomy with astrology. This is a headline from an Astronomical journal. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn will be spread across the sky from east to west about 30 minutes before sunrise, local time. A sky chart showing where Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn will appear in the early morning sky during the first part of September. This year has been notable for planetary alignments, but for me, this one in September is special. Uranus, cannot be seen without using a telescope or good bins as it's around the limit of human visibility of around 6, but good eyesight & away from artificial light, it can be seen. Meanwhile during the daytimes, the sun is passing through the constellation of Virgo. The moon joins the crowd at the point of the equinox. I've never paid attention to astrology, I have avoided it, yet the Magi saw the birth of Christ in the skies. I believe that to be true. A price may have been put on their heads for disobeying Herod. Herod was a Roman client king. I've copied this about the constellation of Virgo. Virgo constellation Virgo is a large and distinctive constellation that dominates the sky. The Virgin is a lovely Goddess of Wheat and Agriculture, standing upright with arms slightly outstretched. She holds a long ear of corn in her hand. I've posted an image which is not so decorated so not to obliterate the stars. I'm caught up with this astronomical event, mixing with astrology, as it's possibly aligned with a biblical prophecy, which is one of the reasons that I have stopped posting my own prime posts on our Wellbeing topic. Revelation Chapter twelve , verse 1. Then the same chapter but verse 6. Mixing astronomy with astrology, I'm never going to argue, but I'm more than happy to answer publicly any questions from any member, either here or on the wellbeing topic. Again, I will never preach or argue, plus I'm not a prophet. I will always remain sensitive & loyal to our forum membership rules.