Moon Phases for 2022 Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
The beauty and mystery of the moon have entranced people for centuries. Its presence in the sky during the nighttime hours and its ever-changing phases have long been the object of fascination for astronomers and stargazers alike. Understanding the moon’s phases is not only interesting but can also be helpful when planning events like birthdays, weddings, or even fishing trips. In this post, we will take a detailed look at the moon’s phases for 2022 in Australia.
What are Moon Phases?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of moon phases for 2022, it’s important to understand what moon phases actually are. The moon orbits around the Earth, and as it does so, different parts of the moon are illuminated by the sun. Depending on our vantage point here on Earth, we see different amounts of the illuminated portion of the moon, which we call phases.
The Eight Moon Phases
There are eight distinct moon phases, which you may have heard of or seen in lunar calendars. These eight phases, in order, are:
- New Moon
- Waxing Crescent
- First Quarter
- Waxing Gibbous
- Full Moon
- Waning Gibbous
- Last Quarter
- Waning Crescent
Moon Phases in Australia for 2022
Now, let’s take a closer look at the moon phases for 2022 in Australia:
- New Moon: January 3, February 2, March 3, April 2, May 2, June 1, July 1, July 31, August 30, September 29, October 28, November 27, December 27
- First Quarter: January 10, February 8, March 10, April 8, May 8, June 7, July 7, August 6, September 5, October 5, November 4, December 4
- Full Moon: January 18, February 17, March 18, April 16, May 16, June 15, July 14, August 13, September 13, October 13, November 12, December 12
- Last Quarter: January 25, February 24, March 25, April 24, May 23, June 22, July 21, August 20, September 19, October 19, November 18, December 18
Why are Moon Phases Significant?
Moon phases are important for a variety of reasons. One significant reason is the effect they can have on the Earth’s tides. The gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth’s oceans causes the tides to rise and fall. When the moon is in its full or new phase, the gravitational pull is stronger, resulting in higher tides, which can impact coastal regions.
Additionally, some people believe that moon phases have an impact on our moods and overall energy. For example, some people believe that full moons may lead to more intense emotions or sleep disturbances. While there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to support these beliefs, it’s interesting to note that moon phases have been associated with various cultural traditions and beliefs throughout human history.
Moon Phases for 2022 Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
The Moon is one of the most intriguing objects we see in the night sky. It has captivated human beings for centuries because of its beauty and its unique ability to appear differently throughout each phase. Moon phases occur because of the positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun relative to one another. In this post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on Moon phases for 2022 in Australia.
What are Moon Phases?
Moon phases refer to the distinct appearance of the illuminated portion of the Moon that we can see from Earth. The Moon’s phases change as its position relative to the Earth and the Sun varies. There are eight major phases of the Moon that repeat every 29.5 days. The phases include new Moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full Moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.
Why do Moon Phases Occur?
Moon phases occur due to the Moon’s orbit around the Earth, and the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. As the Moon orbits around the Earth, it rotates on its axis, and this creates different angles of illumination towards the Sun. The amount of the illuminated portion of the Moon visible to us from Earth changes day by day as a result of the Moon’s motion around the Earth.
What are the Moon Phases for 2022 in Australia?
The following tables show the dates and times of the Moon phases for Australia in 2022. The dates and times are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
First Quarter Moon Phases for 2022 in Australia
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| January 2 | 2:33 AM |
| February 1 | 12:52 PM |
| March 4 | 12:56 AM |
| April 2 | 9:08 AM |
| May 2 | 3:47 PM |
| June 1 | 11:25 PM |
| June 30 | 11:53 AM |
| July 30 | 8:18 PM |
| August 29 | 11:26 PM |
| September 28 | 5:57 AM |
| October 27 | 2:05 PM |
| November 26 | 1:58 AM |
| December 25 | 8:14 AM |
Full Moon Phases for 2022 in Australia
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| January 19 | 7:49 PM |
| February18 | 4:17 AM |
| March 20 | 10:33 PM |
| April 19 | 8:58 AM |
| May 19 | 5:16 PM |
| June 18 | 3:40 AM |
| July 17 | 9:40 AM |
| August 16 | 10:20 PM |
| September 15 | 1:59 PM |
| October 15 | 7:27 AM |
| November 14 | 5:58 PM |
| December 14 | 11:05 AM |
New Moon Phases for 2022 in Australia
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| January 6 | 6:04 AM |
| February 5 | 3:31 PM |
| March 8 | 11:39 AM |
| April 7 | 2:31 AM |
| May 6 | 10:29 AM |
| June 5 | 8:21 PM |
| July 5 | 6:18 AM |
| August 4 | 2:18 PM |
| September 3 | 9:03 PM |
| October 3 | 10:06 AM |
| November 2 | 8:15 PM |
| December 2 | 7:34 AM |
Astronomical Events Associated with the Moon Phases
There are several events associated with Moon phasing that can be observed in Australia in 2022. Below we have provided some of these events:
Supermoons
A Supermoon occurs when a full Moon coincides with the closest approach of the Moon to Earth. This results in the Moon appearing bigger and brighter than usual. In 2022, two Supermoons will be visible from Australia. The first one will be on June 16, and the second on July 16.
Lunar Eclipses
A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth passes through the shadow of the Moon. Lunar Eclipses are visible from anywhere on Earth where the Moon is visible. In 2022, there will be two Lunar Eclipses visible from Australia. The first one will occur on May 16, and the second one on November 9.
Blue Moon
A Blue Moon is a second full Moon that occurs within the same month. This is a rare event that happens every few years. In 2022, there will be a Blue Moon on August 15.
Black Moon
A Black Moon is a second new Moon that occurs within the same month. This is also a rare event that happens every few years. In 2022, there will be a Black Moon on June 6.
Moon Phases for 2022 Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
2022 is going to be an exciting year for stargazers and space enthusiasts in Australia. The moon, Earth’s closest celestial neighbor, can be observed every clear night, but not always the same phase. The moon follows a cyclical pattern in its phases, called a lunar month, that can be observed throughout the year. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about the moon phases for 2022 in Australia.
What are Moon Phases?
Moon phases refer to the different appearances of the moon as seen from Earth. As the moon orbits the Earth, the angle between the sun, Earth, and the moon changes, causing the illuminated part of the moon visible to an observer on Earth to vary. Moon phases range from the new moon to the full moon, and each phase is named based on the amount of the moon’s illuminated surface visible from Earth.
What are the Moon Phases for 2022 in Australia?
In 2022, there will be 12 new moons and 12 full moons visible from Australia. The dates and times of these events vary according to different time zones in Australia. The following table shows the dates and times of all full moons, new moons, and eclipses in 2022 for the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) time zone.
| Date | Time | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | 10:24 am | New Moon |
| January 18 | 7:42 am | Full Moon |
| January 27 | 2:03 pm | New Moon |
| February 16 | 4:57 am | Full Moon |
| February 26 | 3:47 pm | New Moon |
| March 18 | 1:16 am | Full Moon |
| March 27 | 5:11 am | New Moon |
| April 16 | 9:57 pm | Full Moon |
| April 26 | 10:33 pm | New Moon |
| May 16 | 4:14 pm | Full Moon |
| May 26 | 11:56 am | New Moon |
| June 15 | 1:43 pm | Full Moon |
| June 25 | 7:28 am | New Moon – Annular Solar Eclipse |
| July 15 | 8:39 am | Full Moon – Partial Lunar Eclipse |
| July 24 | 10:16 pm | New Moon |
| August 14 | 8:39 pm | Full Moon |
| August 24 | 4:50 pm | New Moon |
| September 13 | 10:24 am | Full Moon |
| September 24 | 3:07 am | New Moon |
| October 13 | 7:57 pm | Full Moon |
| October 24 | 9:11 pm | New Moon |
| November 12 | 10:58 am | Full Moon – Partial Lunar Eclipse |
| November 24 | 11:01 am | New Moon |
| December 12 | 8:37 pm | Full Moon |
| December 24 | 6:36 pm | New Moon |
What Types of Eclipses Can We Expect in 2022?
In 2022, Australia will experience two lunar eclipses and one annular solar eclipse. A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon. There are two types of lunar eclipses seen from Earth, a partial lunar eclipse, and a total lunar eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth partially blocks the sunlight that hits the moon, while a total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth completely blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the moon.
An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon moves between the sun and the Earth, but is too far from Earth to completely cover the sun’s disk. The result is a small ring of sunlight visible around the edges of the moon. This type of eclipse can be dangerous to observe with the naked eye and should only be viewed using specialized solar filters.
The following table shows the dates and times for the eclipses in 2022 that will be visible from Australia:
| Date | Eclipse Type | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| June 25 | Annular Solar Eclipse | Visible from New Zealand and southern parts of Australia |
| July 15 | Partial Lunar Eclipse | Visible from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America |
| November 12 | Partial Lunar Eclipse | Visible from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America |
How to Observe the Moon Phases
Observing the moon phases does not require special equipment or expertise, and can be enjoyed by anyone. Observing the moon phases from a dark location away from artificial light pollution will provide the best viewing experience. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope can also enhance the experience.
Night sky apps such as Star Walk 2 or SkyView can help locate the moon’s position in the sky and provide information about its phase. Alternatively, lunar calendars can be used to track the moon’s phase and its corresponding appearance from Earth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2022 will be a year filled with exciting astronomical events in Australia. With this comprehensive guide, you can plan your stargazing sessions and witness the different moon phases and eclipses throughout the year. Remember, always be careful when observing the sun and use dedicated solar filters to protect your eyes. Keep an eye out for future updates and happy stargazing!
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