Why are the phases different in each hemisphere?
The Moon orbits near the equator of the Earth. In the northern hemisphere, we’re standing on the opposite side of the globe from countries in the southern hemisphere i.e. we are “upside down” from each other! We therefore see the Moon from a completely different vantage point from each other.
As the moon orbits the earth, we see the sunlit part of the moon.
The Moon orbits near the equator of the Earth.
People in different hemispheres see the moon in a slightly different way.
In the Southern Hemisphere, people see the moon ‘upside down’ so the side which is shining (sunlit) seems the opposite from the Northern Hemisphere.
Countries in the different hemispheres see the Moon from a completely different vantage point from each other.
In the northern hemisphere the first quarter looks like a growing D, while in the southern hemisphere it looks like a C.
In the northern hemisphere the last quarter looks like a C, while in the southern hemisphere looks like a D.
In the Northern Hemisphere the sunlit part of the moon moves from right to left.
DOC (D first quarter O full Moon C last quarter)
In the Southern Hemisphere the sunlit part moves from the left to the right.
C O D (C first quarter O full Moon D last quarter)
Author ~ Crimson Earth ~ Image via Google
