20220128 : Moon...

I am sharing this information simply because it is amusing how I had assumed otherwise for so many years and it was an eye-opener to me.

Disclaimer: this is a summary in my words based on many things I read in many places. so it may not be absolutely accurate, but I hope it is not incorrect. 

Neither am I trying to challenge or disprove anything/ anyone. Just an attempt to share information.

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For many years now, I have subscribed to the thinking that a "full moon" causes many effects on our body - many subtle effects which are not perceptible by many. And why not, we have seen the effect the moon has on the ocean tides - a full moon has to have a bigger effect then.

Well, turns out, since it is only reflected light of the Sun, makes no difference whether it is full or half or new moon. Although the light shines differently everyday, it's the same moon everyday. Full and whole...

But the moon does have a gravitational impact on the earth - that is what causes tides. 

Even though moon's size is small when compared to the sun (~400 times smaller) and it mass is very small compared to the Sun (about 27million times less), it is still much closer (about 389 times) and net-net has a bigger gravitational pull (about 2.2 times more).

The earth btw is 81 times the mass of the moon. So if the moon had water. There would be only waves there 🙂

Anyways, here goes (I also want to attempt at some pictures. Let me see):

The point where the moon is on the earth, causes the most gravitational pull and causes a "high tide".

The point exactly opposite also causes a "high tide". In short, it is caused by the inertia and the opposing centrifugal force created by the earth to keep the moon in orbit. (This is taken by me as gospel by science as it is too much to understand. That's just how all celestial bodies behave). 

The earth is also subject to the gravitational pull of the Sun. It is  lesser in comparison due to the distance. Smaller but not negligible.

It follows simply that the two add up when in the same direction and hence much stronger and when they are in opposite directions it will be lesser as they subtract each other.

Full moon:

During a full moon, the Sun and moon are in almost opposite sides of the earth. While the light is shining bright, the gravitational pull is low because the Sun, earth and moon form a very obtuse angle.

New moon:

On a New moon, the Sun and moon are on the same side and the pull is maximum, even though there is no light. Sun, earth and moon form a very acute angle.

Solar eclipse:

Needless to say, this is the absolute maximum as the Sun, moon and earth are perfectly aligned in a straight line. By default, solar eclipse is a New Moon.

So, contrary to what I thought all along, a full moon does not cause the maximum tides. It is the new moon.

However, it is something that many folks say and also feel differently on a full moon.

Are they all making it up?

I don't think so. I am sure it is a real feeling and true when felt so.

The question is: 

do we feel the way we feel because the body is feeling that way? Or do we feel the way we feel because we know how the body should feel?

In one case, the body is feeling because it is feeling the feeling and the brain is perceiving the feeling.

In the other case, the mind is making the body feel a certain way and the brain is perceiving the feeling.

Since it it is brain that is perceiving in both cases, both are real and there is probably no way of anyone knowing the difference...

PS: why did I pursue this information - another story, another time