Okay, so we were sitting outside of my friend's house enjoying a beverage or three when we notice the moon (as ya do). I don't know how it happened (actually, i do. We were drunk) but we got into a debate of sorts regarding why the moon has its shape at any particular time of the month. It lasted for more than an hour and neither of us is willing to concede defeat on the topic. The situation be this: (he thinks:) the dark bit of the moon is caused by the Earth casting its shadow onto the moon. (I think:) The dark bit of the moon is dark because it's the side which isn't facing the sun at that particular time.

It would be great if someone here could resolve this. It's sad when two grown men are seen on one's front lawn using basketballs, oranges and some weird cat toy (also round) to debate the question of how the dark bit of the moon comes to be. [img]smile.gif[/img]

When the earth shadows the moon it's called a lunar eclipse, I think it's pretty rare, I am not, however, your go to guy when it comes to astronomy. [img]smile.gif[/img]

IE: I could be completely wrong.

[ 06-14-2006, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: bjorn ]

Completely wrong?! Bjorn, mate, i don't wanna hear that! My friend (although i know he's wrong) put up such a winning argument that i was starting to doubt myself. I'm sure the Lunar eclipse thing is as rare as tits on a bull as well. But i need definitive! Edit: But have some smileys anyway.. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] :D

[ 06-14-2006, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: Sever ]

Well then, when in doubt, turn to wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_moon

I didden't read all of it but from what i did read it looks like you (or we) are right.

Cheers friend!

Edit, This one is better: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_phase

[ 06-14-2006, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: bjorn ]

If the moon is half because of the sun os on that side, it means it's still day [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Yep, the second one was definitely better, and the answer was not what I expected it to be. My day is complete, I have learned something new today...

Awesome! [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] I'm looking forward to the next time this topic comes up on the piss... Thanks bjorn.

Ahh, but the satisfaction of winning is much nicer an dlong-lasting when sober... Call him now!

Na, i couldn't do that. He'll laugh his ass off at me if we both sober..

How on earth can one think that it's a SHADOW from earth. Wouldn't that shadow look mirrored compared to the black part that you can see? :D