Questions about geometric albedo and phase angle

AI Thread Summary
An object can be observed from Earth at full phase because full phase refers to maximum illumination, not complete illumination. The moon's orbit is inclined relative to the Earth-Sun orbit, allowing it to be visible even when the Earth is between the sun and the moon. While the Earth can eclipse the moon, this only occurs during a lunar eclipse, which is when the moon would achieve complete illumination. The concept of full phase is tied to the lunar cycle, indicating the moon's position rather than its total brightness. Therefore, full phase does not equate to perfect visibility, but rather the peak of illumination during its cycle.
nnj
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
If our sun is the source of illumination, how can an object be observed from the Earth at full phase? Wouldn't the Earth eclipse the object? So then why can we see a full moon during full phase? Is it because the moon's orbit is inclined wrt to the Earth-Sun orbit? If so then wouldn't this by definition not be full phase?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
You're right, full phase isn't perfectly-completely illuminated... but the deviation is small. Full phase is defined relative to the lunar cycle, i.e. full = maximum, not complete illumination. Eclipses do happen when the Earth blocks the sunlight from the moon---which is when it would have been a truly complete full-moon.
 

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Thread 'Can the signal WOW be explained by the maser effect?'

This hypothesis of scientists about the origin of the mysterious signal WOW seems plausible only on a superficial examination. In fact, such a strong coherent radiation requires a powerful initiating factor, and the hydrogen atoms in the cloud themselves must be in an overexcited state in order to respond instantly. If the density of the initiating radiation is insufficient, then the atoms of the cloud will not receive it at once, some will receive it earlier, and some later. But then there...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Speed of the umbra during eclipse vs rate of the Earth's rotation
Replies
3
Views
2K
B Are Lunar Phases Affected by Earth's Orbit and Rotation?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Solar eclipse - magnitude and albedo
Replies
1
Views
4K
B Albedo, atmosphere, and predicted temperature of Venus
Replies
7
Views
4K
I Vera Rubin's research
Replies
8
Views
2K
I New Developments In The Search For Planet X
Replies
2
Views
3K
B Can a Planet Have a Moon that Never Casts a Shadow?
Replies
19
Views
3K
I Phase Contrast Telescope - Part II
Replies
25
Views
2K
B Observing Orbital Mechanics from the 2nd Focus of Earth's Orbit
Replies
8
Views
2K
Lunar and Solar eclipse - same times a year?
Replies
8
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top