Here we see a picture of the moon, and a few stars. What is wrong
with the picture (besides the fact that it is low resolution)? Return to my Astronomy/Space pages
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© Copyright 1999, Jim Loy
Here we see a picture of the moon, and a few stars. What is wrong
with the picture (besides the fact that it is low resolution)?
Answer #1: Well the obvious problem is the star that is between the two cusps of the moon. The moon is much closer to us than any star (or planet). And so, no star can ever appear where this one is. This star is in front of the shadow portion of the moon. The moon is of course a big sphere. The bright part is in the sun light, the dark part is in shadow. There is a second problem with our picture of the moon and stars.
Answer #2: The picture apparently takes place at night. So, the sun is below the horizon. But, from the way the moon is oriented, the sun would have to be above it (and to the left). So this picture is impossible again. Maybe it is upside down. Occasionally cartoons show the moon like this.