Why does the crescent moon show on the bottom instead of the side? - Answers (2025)

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Anonymous

∙ 15y ago

Updated:

3/3/2025

because of the position of your latitude on the earth, combinedwith earth's axial tilt. The points on a crescent moon define aline perpendicular to the incidence of sunlight. Viewed from theearth's equator at equinox, the Crescent always appears to be onthe bottom, or the top, because at equinox the sunlight isperpendicular to your position on the equator. However, on the sameday, viewed from the north or south pole, the crescent moon wouldappear perfectly on its side, because the earth's axis is roughlyaligned with the moon's. As your position changes across latitudes,the angle of your horizon to the incident sunlight changes. Theearth's axis is tilted 23 degrees from being perfectlyperpendicular to the sun's rays. And the moon's orbit around theearth is tilted relative to the earth's equator. This creates acomplex cycle of alignment between sunlight and your position onthe earth. Thus, the crescent of the moon will appear to tiltdepending upon where you are, what time of year it is and themoon's inclination to the earth.

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∙ 15y ago

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Q: Why does the crescent moon show on the bottom instead of the side?

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