Full moon

The Full moon is the lunar Phase during which the the Moon appears most brilliant, from the fact that we see Earth almost all the surface lit by the Sun during this phase.

Observation of Full moon

The duration between two full moons is 29,5 days. It is the synodical period of the Moon. This duration is longer than time than it is necessary for the Moon to make a tower around the Earth, its period orbital (27 days), because during this amount of time the Earth also moved around the Sun.

It is in full phase when it is contrary to the Sun compared to the Earth. One can thus observe a Full moon only the night, because being vis-a-vis the Sun the day, the Moon is “under our feet”. Consequently, in period of Full moon, the Moon rises roughly when lie down the Sun, and conversely, it lies down when the Sun rises.

For these same reasons, into full be, when the Sun is high in the sky, the Full moon being diametrically opposite there, it will follow a low trajectory in the sky the night, and conversely the winter.

In addition, the Full moon being opposed to the Sun, it will be never close to an interior planet (Mercury and Venus). On the other hand, it can approach external planets, even to eclipse them when it passes in front.

Astronomical exactitude

Owing to the fact that the Full moon is always a little above or below the ecliptic (except lunar phase of eclipse, to see below), it always misses a small piece in top or bottom which is not enlightened. In other words, it is never completely full (to see the completely full Moon, it would be necessary to be intercalated between the Sun and it without to make him shade). The paradox is that the Moon is really full only at the time of the Moon eclipses.

In addition, owing to the fact that the Moon advances permanently on its orbit, the phase of exact Full moon (with the restriction close above) lasts only one moment, and not all the night.

Full moon and astronomical observations

Whereas the Full moon makes the happiness of all those which need to see the night clearly, it is rather awkward for the astronomers. Indeed, its glare makes difficult the observation of the other stars.

Moreover, it is not very interesting to observe, because, being enlightened from face, its reliefs are distinguished very badly.

A particular event related to Full moon: the lunar eclipse

If, during Full moon, the Moon crosses ecliptic, (i.e if it is in the axis of revolution of the Earth) (such a point of crossing is called node ), a lunar eclipse will occur. The Moon will take a reddish color then.

A lunar eclipse is seen of all the part of the Earth which faces the Moon, and gives the impression to see ravelling all the phases of the Moon in one evening.

Folklore

The Full moon inspired by many legends

the childbirth would be more (scientific studies rigorously showed that was statistically false)
the wolves-garous would change
Certaines horticultural operations would be more advantageous (cuttings, Clerc's Offices, etc), which is not strictly impossible, the Full moon delivering a considerable luminous energy
people reached of psychiatric disease would see an exacerbation of their symptoms

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