Moon will take longest time to disappear this month
WeirdNews
This extended period spans 8 days, 5 hours, and 24 minutes
(Web Desk) - In a celestial spectacle set to captivate sky-watchers, the Moon is poised to take an unusually long journey from its full phase to the third quarter this year.
The first Full Moon of 2024, known as the Wolf Moon, will occur on January 25. From that moment, it will embark on the longest transition phase of the year, not reaching the third quarter until February 2.
This extended period spans 8 days, 5 hours, and 24 minutes, or precisely 8.225 days, marking it as the most prolonged interval between the two primary Moon phases in 2024.
The lunar cycle, which encompasses the progression from New Moon to the First Quarter, Full Moon, Third Quarter, and back to New Moon, typically completes in about 29.5 days.
Each phase transition usually takes just over a week. However, due to the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit and the varying speeds at which it travels — faster when closer to Earth and slower when farther — the duration between these phases can fluctuate.
This year's lengthiest phase is a testament to the intricate dance between celestial bodies and the gravitational forces at play.
While the Moon's phases are a familiar sight, the time it takes for these transitions can offer subtle yet fascinating insights into the mechanics of our solar system.
Contrastingly, the shortest phase transition of 2024 will occur later in the year, between August 19 and 26. During this period, the Moon will hasten from Full to Third Quarter in just 6 days, 15 hours, and 0 minutes, amounting to a swift 6.625 days.
2024 offers a unique opportunity to observe the variability of moon's voyage through space.
