Lunar Quiz
1. Is the first thin crescent of the New Moon visible at dusk or at dawn?
2. In what month is the Harvest Moon?
3. Name the line joining the apogee and perigee positions.
4. At what time of year does the full Moon rise highest?
5. Name the line joining the full and new Moon positions.
6. What cycle has a 27.3 day period?
7. What was the legal distinction between lunacy and madness in the 18th century?
8. Name a well-known murderer, about whom a story was written, who pleaded that he was not feeling himself at full moon.
9. Does the Moon spend more time in the day or night sky?
10. If you were the keeper of the calendar, what would the ratio 7:19 mean to you?
Lunar Quiz Answers.
1. Dusk, ie just after sunset; 2. September; 3. Apse Line; 4. Midwinter; 5. Syzygy; 6. The sidereal; month; 7. The former was not responsible for his actions at certain times. The Master of Lunacy had the decision; 8. Mr Hyde (Stevenson took considerable liberties with the story); 9. The same, on average; 10. In the 19-year Metonic Cycle, seven of the years require 'intercalating' by adding in a 13th lunar month.
Score:
0 - 3 Where have you been?
4 - 7 O.K.
8 - 10 Careful, you're getting obsessed with the subject.
