Concept in Definition ABC

This name comes from the Latin plenilunium and literally means full or full moon (plenus = `full and lunium = light). It is a lunar phase in which the satelite Earth's natural environment is fully illuminated.

The full moon is one of the four lunar phases

When observing the Moon from the Earth we always distinguish the same face, since both planets rotate on themselves at the same velocity and therefore the perspective visual does not change.

With respect to the lunar phases, they are produced by the interaction of the Moon, the Earth and the Sun. Thus, when the Moon is between the Sun and the Earth, the new Moon phase takes place (the Sun is projected on the far side of the Moon and this prevents us from seeing the other side).

After seven days we observe half of the Moon and for this reason It is called increasing (curiously, if it has a D shape, it means that it is in an increasing phase). After this last phase, another seven days later the most luminous phase is observed, the full Moon (this is possible because all the sunlight is reflected in it).

Finally, when it appears in the shape of the letter C, it means that the phase is decreasing or waning.

How does the full moon affect us?

In ancient popular legends it was said that during the nights of the full moon vampires went out in search of their victims and some men were transformed into wolves. Today there are still people who believe that during this moon phase individuals suffer alterations that affect their character and that due to this the number of crimes increases.

On the other hand, from a scientific point of view an attempt has been made to demonstrate the relationship between the lunar cycle and strange behaviors, but the studies carried out do not provide conclusions definitive. Although science does not provide a conclusive answer on this question, many people still believe in the influence of the Moon on the life cycles (for example, it is said that the number of births is greater on the nights of full moon).

Tides and the balance of the Earth's axis

Twice a day the tide rises and falls due to the influence of the Moon on the oceans (the Water it is attracted by the mass of the Moon and when the Sun is aligned with the Moon the two forces are added and the tides are even greater).

At the same time, the Balance of the Earth depends on the effect of the Moon's gravity on our planet. If the Moon did not exist, there would be a impact on the earth's axis and there would be serious consequences in the weather.

Fotolia photos: Claudio Divizia / Carlacastagno