but it took me until this month to grasp that it is not just the shape of the moon that changes! Its face changes too.

18th November 2021 – note position of Tycho (large crater) at bottom

The face we see in both hemispheres is always the near side of the moon, that’s because it takes about the same amount of time for the moon to rotate on its axis (27.3 days) as it does for the moon to make one revolution around Earth (29.5 days). Consequently we always see the same side.

In the north hemisphere the moon’s north is at the top, and in the southern hemisphere the south is on top when it reaches its highest point in the sky. That all made sense to me, however I hadn’t properly taken in, until Clare share this lovely post, that during a day in both hemispheres you may also observe slight variation in the angle. Look again at my photograph above, now look at the next two. Focus less on the moon’s shape and more on its craters and ‘seas’.

In the last two photographs Tycho, the big crater at bottom, is now to the left. I thought it so odd, bizarre even, that I had never noticed this before. Still my oddness is a great way for me to remind you all of February’s Square Challenge and its theme of ‘odd. We will be looking for square photographs whose subject matter is;

  • Differing from the usual or not happening often (ie oddballs, the exceptions and follies)
  • Separated from its set or mate (eg odds and ends or maybe odd socks or shoes)
  • Not divisible exactly by two (ie odd numbers) or the number is unknown (ie 30 odd birds)

Have fun exploring oddness and discovering oddities as the new year begins, and I look forward to seeing what you find when squares begins in February. And as it is a brand new year why not invite some of your blogging friends to join us, here’s the link to the theme image which you are welcome to download and share.

Happy New Year!

51 thoughts

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  6. There are always new things to notice in scenes we see everyday. With ‘odd’ as the theme I might have to post a selfie!. I hope you had a good Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

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    1. That’s so true Graham, and hee hee on the selfie!

      A lovely Christmas to be followed by a quietish new year as all being well we return to Portugal 🇵🇹

      Hope you are enjoying the holidays too x

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      1. I’m working a lot. Last night was like the Western Front here. More fireworks than I’ve heard before and no wind to blow the smoke away.

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  7. Happy New Year Becky!! How exciting for February! I’m glad you give us a heads up as I may have to think about the “odd” things or photos I’ve taken. And I can keep a look out to take odd photos! FUN! Hope you have had a WONDERFUL holidays! ❤️

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  8. This was fun looking at the Moon! It’s definitely not something I’d ever noticed before. Happy New Year Becky and everyone else. It’s going to be a great year!

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  16. I can’t get my head around the different hemispheres on Earth, Becky, without thinking they see the Moon upside down as well! It is very odd. I shall see if I can find some odd squares for you for February… I can usually find odd when I’m not looking for it, so it may be a fun exercise!

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    1. Yay you’ll be looking for oddness, can’t wait.

      I’m not convinced it is them that are upside down, I think it might be us!

      Their skies are completely different, quite amazing to gaze upon.

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  17. Being a serious lunatic, this post made me smile, Becky, and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside 🥰🌕
    I hope you have a wonderful New Year’s celebration – we are planning to stay home and ‘be quiet’ after being so rowdy with our children over the past 10 days.

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    1. Huge huge thank you for making me look closer at our lunar friend ❤

      We’re having a quiet NYE too as all being well we fly the following day!

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      2. I’m definitely heading that way, MrB is already one!

        Looking good so far for tomorrow as we have a negative test. Now just for all the paperwork.

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      3. Hopefully won’t be too much of a trawl, some of mine just popped out of the folders when I was looking. Plus of course the numbers opens so many doors.

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      1. Just a bit of squaring of those. The songs…..now that’s going to be hard as it will be individual photos theme. Maybe I’ll give in at times 🙂 🙂

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