Why are there moons in the sky at night. Space wonders: why is the moon visible during the day? Is there any truth to the full moon madness myths?

Guest article.

People are used to dividing the day into two parts: day and night. This opposition is one of the main motives of many folk tales, myths and legends. At the same time, the Sun occupies the main place in the sky during the day, and the Moon occupies the main place at night. The order of things is well known to everyone, isn't it?

But the moon can be seen not only at night. Each of us at least once in our lives noticed a pale crescent moon in the daytime sky. How to explain it? Why is the moon visible at the same time as the sun? What is it: a strange coincidence, an illusion, or a completely ordinary astronomical phenomenon? Let's try to figure it out.

The moon and the brightness of celestial bodies

We see stars, planets, and other objects in space because they emit or reflect visible light. The brightest celestial bodies are stars. Satellites and planets are much paler, because they do not emit, but reflect the light that reaches them from an external source. The level of brightness of a cosmic body is called a stellar magnitude. Another name for this property is brilliance.

The moon reflects the light of the sun, so it can be seen better at night than during the day. During the daytime, the brightness of the sky increases due to sunlight scattered in the atmosphere. Because of this, both the stars and the lunar disk disappear from the sky.

However, when our satellite is in the phase of the full moon, its apparent brightness reaches -13 m. And this is quite enough to break through the radiance of the atmosphere. But, due to the fact that the Sun is still 447,000 times brighter than the Moon, we often see only a pale spot in a clear blue sky. And because of the clouds, it is most often almost impossible to see.

Month or disk?

The moon does not always appear entirely in the sky. Sometimes we see a round lunar disk, and sometimes a month. On some days, the moon disappears completely: it is not visible either day or night.

What is it connected with? Everything is very simple: the Moon, like all other cosmic bodies, never lingers in one place. She is constantly on the move. And it rotates not only around its own axis, but also around the Earth.

It takes about 29 days to orbit our planet. Throughout this space journey, the position of the Moon relative to the Sun and the Earth is constantly changing. It is because of this that we see in the sky either the full moon or the lunar crescent.

The lunar cycle consists of several phases:

new moon. At this time, our satellite cannot be seen not only during the day, but also in the dark. This is due to the fact that it appears at a point that visually coincides with the location of the Sun, and completely disappears in its rays;
young month. A narrow lunar crescent appears in the sky. You can notice it the next day after the new moon;
first quarter. The phase of a cycle during which the Moon is at 90° to the Sun. In the sky at this time you can see half of the lunar disk;
full moon. The phase during which you can see one of the hemispheres of the moon as a whole. Magnitude values are maximum;
last quarter. The moon begins to approach the sun, the area of the visible surface decreases;
old month. We again see a narrow lunar crescent, only deployed in the other direction. In a few days, the Moon will be opposite the Sun and again disappear for a day for observers.

During the day, the Earth's satellite is best seen during the period when it is in the full moon phase. Therefore, if you have noticed the Moon and you have a telescope or astronomical binoculars, you can try to examine the lunar surface in more detail. It is possible that you will be able to see some large craters. And even take pictures of them if you have the right equipment with you. For example, a digital camera with a good resolution or a special video camera.

From childhood, the idea was formed in our head that the Sun can be seen during the day, and the Moon - at night. The sphere of "activity" of the heavenly bodies was clearly distributed. However, a strange fact is obvious: quite often the night luminary is visible in the middle of the day. Paradox or just gaps in our astronomical knowledge? Definitely the second option. And in our article we will try to explain in simple terms why the Moon is visible during the day.

Reasons for the visibility or invisibility of objects in the sky

Different ones in the field of view from the Earth are noticeable to varying degrees. The sun is incomparably brighter against the daytime sky than the moon at night. At the same time, we remember that the distance from the satellite to the Earth is much less, cosmically less. Understanding this is important when we analyze the question of why the Moon is visible during the day.

There is such a thing as brightness - magnitude. In order for them to be clearly visible during daylight hours, their brightness should be much greater than that of the daytime sky. So, the clear sky during the day is 9.5, and the moon - 12.7. The excess is obvious, and therefore the satellite should be noticeable by all factors, although it does not contrast strongly with the background. Here is the simplest and most understandable explanation for us, not astronomers, why the Moon is visible during the day.

When can the Moon and Sun be seen at the same time?

We learned very well from childhood that the Moon revolves around the Earth, and the Earth revolves around the Sun. To this we must add that the planet also moves around its axis. The heavenly bodies seem to be in constant dance, changing positions. And this is extremely important to take into account when figuring out when and why the Moon is visible during the day.

When all conditions are taken into account, it is possible to see the Moon with the Sun together only on a full moon. At this time, the rising of the moon also coincides. The rest of the time, the satellite should theoretically be visible during the day. But other factors also play a role. The Moon is better visible in the daytime sky during periods when it approaches the full phase, the angular distance from the Sun is greater. In other phases, growing and aging, the side of the satellite illuminated by the Sun is small and turned towards it. Accordingly, a narrow strip of the new month during the day will be extremely difficult to see. That is why the Moon is not always visible during the day: sometimes it is simply difficult to notice.

Atmospheric properties and contrast of astronomical bodies

The atmosphere of our planet in the daytime has a blue color (we immediately imagine the view of a clear sky). Also due to the scattered particles of light from the Sun, it is bright. It is the brightness of the day that drowns out the brightness of the moon. The latter, due to the balls of the atmosphere, could also be visible to us in blue, but the low contrast makes it difficult to do so. If the Moon appears in the sky during the day, then this is most often a pale spot that is easy to miss. However, this did not prevent astronomers from conducting their studies of the satellite's surface even during daylight hours.

Thus, we understand that the light in the atmosphere of our planet makes it difficult to see the visible outline of the Moon, as at night. For a significant part of its cycle, the satellite is in a position where it is clearly visible next to the Sun during the daytime. Therefore, even the question of why the Moon is visible during the day is even more relevant, but why it is not so clearly visible.

Experiments with photographs of the surface of the moon

Despite the pallor of the contour, the Moon is visible to the naked eye during the day. Astronomers could not miss such a moment: since it can be seen without equipment, then what will happen if technology is applied? Experiments began with photographing the surface of the moon during the day. I must say that their quality was pretty good, given the atmospheric conditions. The first such picture was taken using a conventional digital camera attached to a telescope. The result was expected: due to the low contrast of the Moon against the background of the daytime sky, its image was fuzzy.

The experiment was continued under the same conditions and with the same technique, but in black and white. The picture turned out to be somewhat more contrasty. To improve the image, used the familiar "Photoshop". Processing made it look like one of the shots that are obtained when shooting in the evening. Thus, it became possible to consider relief objects in the photo. It is noteworthy that both large craters (Grimaldi, Gassendi, Aristarchus) and smaller ones are clearly visible.

The experiments cited as an example with shooting the lunar surface during the day prove that the satellite is not just visible during daylight hours. It can even be explored from the astronomical side. As we believe, the question of why the Moon is visible during the day has already found a quite clear answer.

findings

There are many mysteries in space for us, but humanity has managed to study the nearest objects to some extent. The night luminary, the satellite of the Earth are the objects of romantic views, accustomed to contemplate it only in the dark. However, the Moon can also be seen during the day, sharing the firmament with the Sun.

In our article, we tried to understand in simple terms why the Moon can be seen during the day and what is the reason that sometimes we do not notice it. We hope that we have helped you expand your knowledge about the world around you.

Why doesn't the moon rotate and we only see one side? June 18th, 2018

As many have already noticed, the Moon is always turned to the Earth by the same side. The question arises: relative to each other, is the rotation around their axes of these celestial bodies synchronous?

Although the Moon rotates around its axis, it always faces the Earth with the same side, that is, the Moon's revolution around the Earth and rotation around its own axis are synchronized. This synchronization is caused by the friction of the tides that the Earth produced in the shell of the Moon.

Another mystery: does the moon rotate on its axis at all? The answer to this question lies in resolving the semantic problem: who is at the forefront - an observer located on Earth (in this case, the Moon does not rotate around its axis), or an observer located in extraterrestrial space (then the only satellite of our planet rotates around its own axis). axes).

Let's conduct such a simple experiment: draw two circles of the same radius that are in contact with each other. Now imagine them as discs and mentally roll one disc around the edge of the other. In this case, the rims of the discs must be in continuous contact. So, how many times, in your opinion, will a rolling disk turn around its axis, making a complete revolution around a static disk. Most would say once. To test this assumption, let's take two coins of the same size and repeat the experiment in practice. And what is the result? A rolling coin has time to turn twice on its axis before making one revolution around a stationary coin! Surprised?

On the other hand, does a rolling coin rotate? The answer to this question, as in the case of the Earth and the Moon, depends on the frame of reference of the observer. Relative to the initial point of contact with a static coin, the moving coin makes one revolution. Relative to an outside observer, in one revolution around a fixed coin, a rolling coin rotates twice.

Following the publication of this coin problem in Scientific American in 1867, the editors were literally inundated with letters from indignant readers who held the opposite opinion. They almost immediately drew a parallel between the paradoxes with coins and celestial bodies (the Earth and the Moon). Those who held the view that a moving coin has time to turn around its own axis in one revolution around a stationary coin were inclined to think about the inability of the Moon to rotate around its own axis. The activity of readers regarding this problem has increased so much that in April 1868 it was announced that the controversy on this topic in the pages of Scientific American had ceased. It was decided to continue the debate in a magazine dedicated specifically to this "great" problem, The Wheel ("Wheel"). At least one issue is out. In addition to illustrations, it contained a variety of drawings and diagrams of intricate devices created by readers in order to convince the editors of their wrong.

Various effects generated by the rotation of celestial bodies can be detected using devices like the Foucault pendulum. If it is placed on the moon, it turns out that the moon, rotating around the earth, makes revolutions around its own axis.

Can these physical considerations act as an argument confirming the rotation of the Moon around its axis, regardless of the observer's frame of reference? Oddly enough, but from the point of view of general relativity, probably not. We can generally assume that the Moon does not rotate at all, it is the Universe that rotates around it, creating gravitational fields like the Moon rotating in a stationary space. Of course, it is more convenient to take the Universe as a fixed frame of reference. However, if you think objectively, with regards to the theory of relativity, the question of whether this or that object really rotates or rests is generally meaningless. Only relative motion can be "real".
To illustrate, imagine that the Earth and the Moon are connected by a bar. The bar is fixed on both sides rigidly in one place. This is a situation of mutual synchronization - and one side of the Moon is visible from the Earth, and one side of the Earth is visible from the Moon. But we do not, so Pluto and Charon rotate. And we have a situation - one end is fixed rigidly on the Moon, and the other moves along the surface of the Earth. Thus, one side of the Moon is visible from the Earth, and different sides of the Earth are visible from the Moon.

Instead of a barbell, the force of attraction acts. And its "rigid mount" causes tidal phenomena in the body, which gradually either slow down or speed up the rotation (depending on whether the satellite rotates too fast or too slowly).

Some other bodies in the solar system are also already in such synchronization.

Thanks to photography, we can still see more than half of the surface of the moon, not 50% - one side, but 59%. There is a phenomenon of libration - the apparent oscillatory movements of the Moon. They are caused by irregular orbits (not perfect circles), tilts of the axis of rotation, tidal forces.

The Moon is in tidal lock on the Earth. Tidal capture is a situation when the period of revolution of the satellite (Moon) around its axis coincides with the period of its revolution around the central body (Earth). In this case, the satellite always faces the central body with the same side, since it rotates around its axis in the same time that it takes for it to turn around in orbit around its partner. Tidal capture occurs in the process of mutual motion and is characteristic of many large natural satellites of the planets of the Solar System, and is also used to stabilize some artificial satellites. When observing a synchronous satellite from the central body, only one side of the satellite is always visible. When viewed from this side of the satellite, the central body "hangs" motionless in the sky. From the reverse side of the satellite, the central body is never visible.

moon facts

There are lunar trees on Earth

Hundreds of tree seeds were brought to the moon during the 1971 Apollo 14 mission. Former USFS employee Stuart Roose took the seeds as a personal shipment for a NASA/USFS project.

Upon their return to Earth, these seeds were germinated, and the resulting lunar seedlings were planted throughout the United States, as part of the country's bicentennial celebrations in 1977.

There is no dark side

Place your fist on the table, fingers down. You see its back side. Someone on the other side of the table will see the knuckles. This is how we see the moon. Because it is tidally locked to our planet, we will always see it from the same vantage point.
The concept of the "dark side" of the moon has come from popular culture - think Pink Floyd's 1973 album "Dark Side of the Moon" and the 1990 thriller of the same name - and actually means the far, night, side. The one that we never see and which is opposite to the side closest to us.

In the time span, we see more than half of the moon, thanks to libration

The Moon moves along its orbital path and moves away from the Earth (at a rate of about one inch per year), accompanying our planet around the Sun.
If you were to look at the Moon up close as it speeds up and slows down during this journey, you would also see it wobble from north to south and west to east in a motion known as libration. As a result of this movement, we see a part of the sphere that is usually hidden (about nine percent).

However, we will never see another 41%.

Helium-3 from the Moon could solve Earth's energy problems

The solar wind is electrically charged and occasionally collides with the Moon and is absorbed by the rocks on the lunar surface. One of the most valuable gases in this wind that are absorbed by the rocks is helium-3, a rare isotope of helium-4 (commonly used for balloons).

Helium-3 is perfect for meeting the needs of fusion reactors with subsequent power generation.

One hundred tons of helium-3 could supply the Earth's energy needs for a year, according to Extreme Tech's calculations. The surface of the moon contains about five million tons of helium-3, while on Earth it is only 15 tons.

The idea is this: we fly to the moon, extract helium-3 in a mine, collect it in tanks and send it to Earth. True, this can happen very soon.

Is there any truth to the full moon madness myths?

Not really. The assumption that the brain, one of the most watery organs of the human body, is influenced by the moon is rooted in legends that are several millennia old, going back to the time of Aristotle.

Since the Moon's gravitational pull controls the tides of Earth's oceans, and since humans are 60% water (and 73% brain), Aristotle and the Roman scientist Pliny the Elder believed that the Moon should have a similar effect on ourselves.

This idea gave rise to the terms "lunar madness", "transylvanian effect" (which became widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages) and "lunar madness". The films of the 20th century added fuel to the fire, linking the full moon with psychiatric disorders, car accidents, murders and other incidents.

In 2007, the government of the British seaside town of Brighton ordered more police patrols to be sent during full moons (and on paydays too).

Yet science says there is no statistical relationship between human behavior and the full moon, according to several studies, one of which was conducted by American psychologists John Rotton and Ivan Kelly. It is unlikely that the Moon affects our psyche, rather, it simply adds light, in which it is convenient to commit crimes.

Missing Moonstones

In the 1970s, the Richard Nixon administration distributed rocks brought from the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 missions to the leaders of 270 countries.

Unfortunately, more than a hundred of these stones have gone missing and are believed to have gone to the black market. While working for NASA in 1998, Joseph Gutheinz even led a covert operation called "Lunar Eclipse" to stop the illegal sale of these stones.

What was all this fuss about? A pea-sized piece of moon rock was valued at $5 million on the black market.

The moon belongs to Dennis Hope

At least he thinks so.

In 1980, exploiting a loophole in the 1967 UN Space Property Treaty that "no country" can claim the solar system, Nevada resident Dennis Hope wrote to the UN and announced the right to private property. They didn't answer him.

But why wait? Hope opened a lunar embassy and began selling one-acre lots for $19.99 each. For the UN, the solar system is almost the same as the world's oceans: outside the economic zone and owned by every inhabitant of the Earth. Hope claimed to have sold off-world properties to celebrities and three former US presidents.

It is unclear whether Dennis Hope really does not understand the wording of the treaty, or whether he is trying to force the legislature to make a legal assessment of their actions so that the development of heavenly resources can begin under more transparent legal conditions.

Sources:

Today at 12:00 the moon was clearly visible in the west for half an hour. Quite an unusual occurrence for the middle of the day and early September. In search of an answer, I re-read many articles on this topic, but everywhere there is 1 factor for the visibility of the moon in the daytime - the full moon, but now the period of the waning moon.

The scientific answer to the question of why the moon is visible during the day, I will give below, in short, it happens 2 times a year during the full moon.

Moon in the afternoon on a full moon (photo from the network)

The phenomenon of the visibility of the moon is actually observed in new moon. This happens for some reason. The side of the Moon, which is illuminated by the Sun, each time turns to the inhabitants of the Earth at a new angle, as a result of which a change in the lunar phases appears. This process is not affected by the Earth's shadow, except when the Moon is eclipsed during a full moon. This phenomenon happens twice a year..

During the new moon, the Moon and the Sun interact as follows: the Earth's satellite is aligned with the Sun, as a result of which the consecrated part of the Moon becomes invisible. After a day, it can be observed in the form of a narrow crescent, which gradually increases. Such a period is usually called the growing moon.

During the movement of the earth satellite along its orbit in the first quarter of the lunar cycle, the apparent distance of the Moon from the Sun begins to develop. A week after the onset of the new moon, the distance from the Moon to the Sun becomes exactly the same as the distance from the Sun to the Earth. At such a moment, a quarter of the lunar disk becomes visible. Further, the distance between the Sun and the satellite continues to grow, which is called the second quarter of the lunar cycle. At this point, the Moon is at its farthest point in its orbit from the Sun. Her phase at this point will be called the full moon.

In the third quarter of the lunar cycle, the satellite begins its reverse movement relative to the Sun, approaching it. The waning moon is again reduced to the size of a quarter of the disk. The lunar cycle ends with the satellite returning to its original position between the Sun and the Earth. At this moment, the illuminated part of the Moon completely ceases to be visible to the inhabitants of the planet.

In the first part of its cycle, the Moon appears in the morning above the horizon, along with the rising Sun, is at its zenith by noon and in the visible zone throughout the day until sunset. This pattern is usually observed in tropical and subtropical zones.

Thus, each appearance of the lunar disk depends on the phase in which the celestial body is at one time or another. In this regard, such concepts as a waxing or waning moon, as well as a blue moon, appeared.

09/06/2012 (west) 12.00

Well written, but today is September 6th, waning moon period!

Lunar day today - 20\21

09/05 21:22 - 09/06 21:51 (MSK)

Astrology

Lunar day today very interesting and mystical, the day of "high flight". Everyone gets a chance to look at the past month from a height, see something new, make some discoveries. The 20th lunar day should be devoted to understanding the internal connections between people, events, animate and inanimate nature. Today is the lunar day of the calendar- 20, and we have to understand that nothing happens by chance. Everything is natural and one follows from the other. The great sages of antiquity said "look not at things, but at the connections between them, and then the truth will be revealed to you." If you manage to take advantage of the opportunity provided, then today you will be able to comprehend a lot, and this will affect both your spiritual growth and material growth.

On the 20th lunar day Moon gives a lot of energy, and it must be directed, first of all, to change, to transform oneself. The main enemies lunar day today can act arrogance and high self-esteem. If you behave in this way, you can fall from a height very easily and the fall will not be pleasant. Avoid conflict. Today, a chain reaction is going on between friends, and, having heated up relations with one, this state will pass along the chain to others.

moon tonight gives us a great gift: she gives us the chance to turn from a slave to her fate into her master. AT moon day today It is easy to decide on what you used to be afraid of. Remove your fear and move on towards your dream. Today day of records and feats, everything undertaken will be a success.

Why is the Moon visible during the day?

The question remains open - why at 12.00 noon on 09/06/2012 in the west the rather impressive size of the Moon was clearly visible?

An interesting question was asked by a friend of mine in connection with the Moon in the daytime sky, - "If at 12 o'clock in the afternoon the Moon hangs with us, then it turns out where it is night - there is no Moon?"

We will listen with interest to the opinions of experts in these matters. Judging by the number of requests in the network "Why is the Moon visible during the day?", Your answers will be of interest to many.

As you know, the moon does not emit light, but only reflects it. And therefore in the sky only that side of it, which is illuminated by the Sun, is always visible. This side is called the day side. Moving across the sky from west to east, the Moon overtakes and overtakes the Sun during the month. There is a change in the relative position of the Moon, Earth and Sun. In this case, the sun's rays change the angle of incidence on the lunar surface and therefore the part of the Moon visible from the Earth changes. The movement of the moon across the sky is usually divided into phases that are directly related to its modification: new moon, young moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter.

Moon observations

The moon is a spherical celestial body. That is why, when it is partially illuminated by sunlight from the side, the appearance of a “sickle” appears. By the way, by the illuminated side of the Moon, you can always determine which side the Sun is on, even if it is hidden behind the horizon.

The duration of the complete change of all lunar phases is usually called the synodic month and it ranges from 29.25 to 29.83 Earth solar days. The duration of the synodic month varies due to the elliptical shape of the lunar orbit.

On the new moon, the disk of the Moon is absolutely invisible in the night sky, since at that time it is located as close as possible to the Sun and at the same time faces the Earth at night.

Next comes the new moon phase. During this period of time, for the first time in a synodic month, the Moon becomes visible in the night sky in the form of a narrow crescent and can be observed at dusk a few minutes before it sets.

Next comes the first quarter. This is the phase in which exactly half of its visible part is illuminated, as in the last quarter. The only difference is that in the first quarter, the proportion of the illuminated part at this moment increases.

The full moon is the phase in which the lunar disk is visible clearly and completely. During the full moon, for several hours, one can observe the so-called opposition effect, in which the brightness of the lunar disk noticeably increases, while its size remains the same. This phenomenon is explained quite simply: for an earthly observer, at this moment all shadows on the surface of the Moon disappear.

There are also phases of the growing, waning and old moon. All of them are characterized by a very narrow crescent of the Moon, a greyish-ashy color typical of these phases.

From all of the above, we can conclude that, in fact, nothing obscures the Moon. It just changes the angle of its illumination by the sun's rays.

Sources:

Rituals for the full moon and the growing moon

Everyone knows that the success of an enterprise depends not only on the availability of all the necessary conditions and the psychological adjustment of people who are ready to get down to business. Success also depends on the right moment for the implementation of the case. The ancients always focused on the position of celestial bodies before embarking on any business. In particular, they paid attention to the phase of the moon.

You will need

- astrological magazines and websites;
- observation of the moon.

Instruction

Look into . This will be the most reliable way to determine the phase of the moon. Usually such calendars can be found on special sites or in the news (see the "Weather" section). Various publications for gardeners can also help. The moon helps gardeners choose the right day to plant flowers, vegetables or trees. It is believed that trees are best on the moon, because they will grow faster this way.

Use the method familiar to everyone since childhood. Determine the phase of the moon using the finger method. "Substitute" the index finger to the crescent. If the resulting figure forms the letter "P" (in the role of a "bow" a crescent), then the moon is growing. If the crescent is turned in the other direction and resembles the letter “C”, then the moon is waning. The method is suitable if you need to determine right now whether the moon is or is waning, but there is no opportunity to turn to the Internet or some kind of magazine: in front of you is only the sky and crescent.

Do not start new business on the waning moon. The position of the night star affects the daily activities of any person much more than the position of the Sun. Whenever you have some serious undertaking, pay attention to the phase of the moon. Choose the moment when it grows. But at the same time, there are situations in which the waning moon is favorable. “Underground” vegetables grow better, operations are also favorably resolved, all household chores are going well.

Analyze the dreams that you have at the stage when the moon is waning. You may dream of things that need to be completed. Pay attention to such dreams, use them as a guide for yourself. On the waning moon, dreams are often very emotional, imbued with a lyrical mood. This lunar phase provokes the active work of the nervous system. It is in this half of the month that a person (through feelings and emotions) comes up with solutions and answers that he could not find before, with the help of the mind.

How to determine the "age" of the month

Almost every person is fascinated by the night sky illuminated by the Moon, and he watches with interest the changes in the shape of this night star, but not everyone knows what phase the Moon is currently in and even have no idea about the “young month”.

There are many interpretations of this expression regarding the Moon. But, in essence, it means that the night luminary is just beginning to emerge from the shadow of the planet Earth, and only a small part of its surface is accessible to the rays of the Sun. During this period, only a thin semicircular strip with pointed edges facing left, in the form of a semicircle from the letter P, can be observed from the Earth.

In the religious concept, the new month symbolizes the beginning of a new period. The phase of the new month, according to church canons, is most successful for baptism, weddings, tonsure as monks, and taking vows.

In various astrological calendars, the young month promotes growth and formation, and it is during this period that it is best to change something in your life, for example, your place of work or residence. Even those held in the phase of the growing moon will bring the greatest benefit, and plant seeds planted in the soil will give friendly shoots that will bring a big harvest.

In magic, during the period of the birth of the month and its growth, various rituals are performed, spells are read on the young moon for a love spell and improving the financial situation, and other magical actions are performed.

Other meanings of the expression "young month"

The growing Moon is very popular not only among astrologers, among fans of black or white magic and ministers of religion, but also among lyric poets. One can find many examples among the works of the classics, where the lover compared himself or the object of his passion with the new moon, or where the suffering from unrequited love shared his sorrows with the emerging moon.

In the common people, this epithet was awarded to beloved children, young talents, on whom great hopes were placed, as they called unusually beautiful young men and women.

Sources:

What is a young month
Three phases of the moon