All articles tagged with #lunar calendar
Space.com explains that a Blue Moon is not literally blue; it refers to either the second full moon in a calendar month or the fourth in a season with four full moons; the article traces its pop-culture roots—from a 1940s Sky & Telescope misinterpretation to songs and films—and notes that the Moon's enduring appeal comes from its regular cycles and its place in human culture and science.
Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, is expected to begin on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Muslims celebrate with prayers, sweet treats, visiting relatives, and giving gifts to children. The festival varies by country, with some traditions including decorating hands with henna and visiting graveyards. However, in Gaza, the holiday will be overshadowed by the aftermath of recent attacks. Common greetings for Eid include "Eid Mubarak" and "Eid sa'id".
The full moon on March 25, known as the Worm Moon, will reach its peak at 3 a.m. ET and is associated with the emergence of earthworms and beetle larvae in spring. The name comes from Native American and European sources, with different explanations for its origin. Future full moons in 2024 include the Pink Moon in April, followed by the Flower Moon, Strawberry Moon, Buck Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Harvest Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Beaver Moon, and Cold Moon.
Ramadan 2024 will begin on March 11 or 12, with fasting hours ranging from 12 to 17 hours worldwide. The Islamic calendar's lunar nature causes Ramadan to start earlier each year, with 2030 seeing two observances. Cities along the same longitude share similar iftar times, while those on opposite sides prepare for suhoor. The longest fasting hours are in Nuuk, Greenland, and Reykjavik, Iceland, while the shortest are in Canberra, Australia, and Puerto Montt, Chile. Ramadan greetings vary across Muslim-majority nations.
This week's full moon will be a supermoon, appearing larger and brighter than usual as it reaches perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit. Known as a harvest moon, it coincides with the autumnal equinox and historically aided farmers in harvesting their crops. This will be the last supermoon of the year, providing a great opportunity for skywatchers.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan will begin later this week, with fasting hours ranging from 12 to 18 hours depending on location. The lunar-based Islamic calendar causes Ramadan to begin 10 to 12 days earlier each year, with the first day of fasting in Mecca likely to be Thursday, March 23. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations during daylight hours to achieve greater consciousness of God. The predawn meal to start the daily fast is called suhoor, while the breaking of one’s fast after sunset is called iftar.