About the Full Moon of September

Full moon is September 24-25

Half the moon is always illuminated by the sun. That lighted half is the moon’s day side. In order to appear full to us on Earth, we have to see the whole day side of the moon. That happens only when the moon is opposite the sun in our sky. A full moon is a moon opposite the sun. That’s why every full moon rises in the east around sunset – climbs highest up for the night midway between sunset and sunrise (around midnight) – and sets around sunrise.

Technically speaking, the moon is full at the instant it’s 180 degrees from the sun in ecliptic longitude. Want to know the instant of full moon in your part of the world, as well as the moonrise and moonset times? Click here, remembering to check the moon phases plus moonrise and moonset boxes.

Or you can just stand outside around sunset and look for the moon. Sun going down while the moon is coming up? That’s a full moon, or close to one.

The moon looks full for at least a couple of night around the instant of full moon.

Often, you’ll find two different dates on calendars for the date of full moon. That’s because some calendars list moon phases in Coordinated Universal Time or Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). And other calendars list moon phases in local time, a clock time of a specific place, usually the place that made and distributed the calendars. Click here to translate UTC to your local time.

If a full moon is opposite the sun, why doesn’t Earth’s shadow fall on the moon at every full moon? The reason is that the moon’s orbit is titled by 5.1 degrees with respect to Earth’s orbit around the sun. At every full moon, Earth’s shadow sweeps near the moon. But, in most months, there’s no eclipse.

As the moon orbits Earth, it changes phase in an orderly way. Follow these links to understand the various phases of the moon.

Bottom line: Full moon – when the moon is most opposite the sun for this month – happens on September 25 at 2:52 UTC; translate UTC to your time.

 

 

Originally published on EarthSky

If You Were Born Today, September 21

TRUE LOVE

You are an exceptionally creative person. Once you learn to focus your energy on one or a few creative passions, you can go far. Disciplining yourself is not necessarily a problem–you tend to have so many ideas and talents that it can be hard to develop just one. Indecision is sometimes an issue. You are especially thoughtful and helpful. You are very likable, and others sense your warmth, or at the very least, they seem to know you have a lot to share. Your mind is sharp and you love to communicate! You may grow into this quality–beginning life as a quiet child and, over the years, you discover your voice. You easily attract admirers and you are willing to make huge sacrifices for the sake of love. Famous people born today: Faith Hill, H. G. Wells, Larry Hagman, Leonard Cohen, Stephen King, Cheryl Hines, Bill Murray, Ricki Lake, Nicole Richie, Maggie Grace.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Your birthday this year occurs shortly after a New Moon, suggesting a time of new beginnings and fresh energy. You are instinctively starting a new phase in your life. It’s time to give your life a makeover and to branch out into the untried.

This can be a year in which you experience important turning points, or you could begin new projects or goals that have a long-term impact on your life.

October and November may be a little more challenging than others, but it’s also a great time for getting organized. This can be a time of fixing problems or taking on responsibilities so that your life runs more smoothly.

There is more spontaneity in your personal relationships this year. You are more willing to take chances during this period of your life on a social level, and happily embrace all that is new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings. You are ready to experiment. This could be a good year for financial undertakings involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. You have a taste for the offbeat this year, and this energy can bring sudden or unexpected romance or friendships/alliances into your life.

This can be a busy year on a mental level, with personal interests, studies, exciting ideas, frequent lectures, debates, or animated discussions. You are more assertive or forthcoming with your ideas and advice or opinions. You are highly motivated to put your ideas into motion. There can be many errands, travel, and trips. You may be more actively involved with young people.

However, err on the side of caution if offers arrive that seem too good to be true. Some confusion or possibly deception could arise in communications this year, and you may be skipping important details without even realizing it.

Fortunate connections are likely to be made this year–connections that benefit you now and down the road and that enhance your chances of success at achieving your goals. A new relationship with someone that helps to broaden your horizons, expand your mind, and deepen your personal philosophy of life is possible, or existing relationships grow and improve.

A freer attitude towards expressing your affection is likely now. Your open heart may attract easygoing friendships or love opportunities into your life.

However, your energy can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages. This may be due to wavering motivation – you may be seeking out something more meaningful which can pay with your physical energy levels.

This can be a time of building faith or confidence in your skills and talents, particularly in the second half of your birthday year. You can experience a stronger desire to seek out meaning, wisdom, and mental stimulation. You’ll be making plans and seeing important patterns, and you can be particularly motivated to solve problems.

You seek out nourishment from — and naturally nurture and support — others during this period. Needs and cravings seem to be in harmony, or at least not in conflict, with those of your loved ones. It makes you feel stronger and good about yourself to help and support, and you seem to have a good support system in place for yourself.

You are very likely to attract loving relationships and/or new warm social contacts into your life this year. Your popularity increases and efforts to smooth over challenges in partnerships are more likely to succeed. This is an excellent influence for negotiations, marriage, and business partnerships.

New beginnings and fresh projects are likely in the year ahead. This can be a special year for your social or romantic life, which can be more interesting. Fortunate connections can be made. You are embracing change and improvement in these areas. This is an excellent period for spreading your wings, trying new things, and taking on new and exciting interests, but you should watch for impractical choices and neglecting important details.

2017 is a Number Four year for you. Ruled by Uranus. This is a year of work and development. It’s “nose to the grindstone” time. It’s a time to pay special attention to practical matters, and it’s not a time to be lazy or especially gregarious. Sometimes, it can be a year that feels hard, monotonous and routine, and/or lonely. Positive new relationships are often not formed in a Four personal year. However, it can be a wonderful year for building, development, and laying a solid foundation for future successes. Advice – get yourself organized, work to build your resources, keep busy.

2018 will be a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of discovery and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise, promote, and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken for the better. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed; or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, diversify, mingle.