MOON INFORMATION- 2006

Before you see the charts, you need to know what they mean:

The full moon has been linked to crime, suicide, mental illness, disasters, accidents,  birthrates, fertility, and werewolves, among other things.

James O. Berkland is a Glen Ellen, California-based geologist and editor of Syzygy—An Earthquake Newsletter. He believes the gravitational tugs of the moon, sun, and other planets can influence earthquake activity. Berkland said he has accurately predicted tremors based on factors such as syzygy.

"Syzygy" refers to the alignment of three celestial objects. Syzygy of the sun, Earth, and moon occur twice a month, at the full and new moons. At such times, gravitational forces are at a maximum, especially when the bodies are close together, Berkland said.

The Earth and moon are closest together—at perigee—once a month. The Earth and sun are closest together—at perihelion—once a year. Perihelion currently occurs in early January. Maximum gravitation force occurs when a syzygy and perigee occur on the same day as perihelion.

According to Berkland, seismometers left on the moon by Apollo astronauts show that moonquakes occur most frequently at perigee.

At least two major quakes may support Berkland's theory. The December 26, 2004, magnitude 9.1 in Sumatra, Indonesia, occurred on the day of a full moon. Likewise, the March 27, 1964, magnitude 9.2 earthquake in Alaska occurred on the day of maximum high tide.

According to Berkland, such correlations are more than coincidences. They demonstrate a true connection between the moon and earthquake activity, he said.

Observations made by those who deal with large numbers of people, record an increase in unusual or eccentric behaviour, and police report an increase in all forms of crime at the time of a full moon, in particular, crimes of violence. Traffic accidents too, are alleged to become more frequent, and doctors and nurses in mental hospitals testify to an increased restiveness among their patients at the time of the full moon. Even some psychiatrists have subscribed privately to the notion of 'moon-madness'.

Scientific studies also seem to confirm the probability of adverse lunar influence on the activities of man. A study of homicides in Dade County, Florida, for example, shows that a disproportionate number of homicides occurred during the 24-hour period before and after the full moon. Another, in 1982, showed that the same disproportionate number of traffic accidents occurred during the night hours of the three day periods of the new moon and the full moon. Others have come to the same conclusion after examining the relationship between the phases of the moon and aggressiveness, and have also reported increased rates of suicide.

Another study claimed that a disproportionate number of traffic accidents occurred during the night hours of the three-day periods of the new moon and the full moon. However, it was noted that a large number of these nights fell on weekends, which suggested an alternative correlation that more accidents occur on weekends than on weekdays.

 

January

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 Venus is 7° north of the Moon. 1000
1 The Moon is at perigee. 2300
2 Neptune is 4° north of the Moon. 1200
4 Uranus is 2° north of the Moon. 0000
4 Earth is at perihelion. 1500
5 Vesta, the third largest asteroid, is at opposition. 2300
6 FIRST QUARTER 1900
8 Mars is 1° 3' south of the Moon. 2000
14 Venus is in inferior conjunction. 0000
14 FULL MOON 1000
15 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 1300
16 The asteroid Juno appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 2000
17 The moon is at apogee. 1900
21 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 6' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 2200
22 LAST QUARTER 1500
23 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 2000
25 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 02' south of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 1200
26 Mercury is in superior conjunction. 2200
27 Saturn is at opposition. 2300
28 Venus is 12° north of the Moon. 0000
29 NEW MOON 1400
30 Moon is at perigee. 0800
31 Uranus is 1° 7' north of the Moon. 1200

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February

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
3 Venus appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves toward its greatest elongation west of the Sun from a position east of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 0700
5 FIRST QUARTER 0600
5 Mars is 2° south of the Moon. 2200
6 Neptune is in conjunction with the Sun. 0600
11 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 1500
13 FULL MOON 0500
14 Moon is at apogee. 0100
14 Mercury is 0° 03' north of Uranus. 1600
17 Venus is at its greatest illuminated extent. 2000
18 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 4' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0500
20 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 0800
21 LAST QUARTER 0700
21 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 2' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 2100
23 Vesta, the third-largest asteroid, appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 0800
24 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 18° east of the Sun. 0500
24 Venus is 10° north of the Moon. 2100
25 Ceres, the largest asteroid, is 0° 8' north of the Moon. Occultation of Ceres by the Moon. 1000
26 Neptune is 4° north of the Moon. 1300
27 Moon is at perigee. 2000
28 NEW MOON 0100

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March

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 Mercury is 4° north of the Moon. 0200
1 Uranus is in conjunction with the Sun. 1100
2 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves from its greatest elongation east of the Sun back toward a position west of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 0700
5 Jupiter appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 0000
6 Mars is 3° south of the Moon. 0700
6 FIRST QUARTER 2000
10 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 1800
11 Mars is 7° north of Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. 0000
12 Mercury is in inferior conjunction. 0300
13 Moon is at apogee. 0200
15 FULL MOON. Penumbral eclipse of the Moon. 0000
17 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 3' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 1100
19 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1400
20 Equinox 1800
21 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 3' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0300
22 LAST QUARTER 1900
24 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves toward its greatest elongation west of the Sun from a position east of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 1200
25 Venus is at its greatest elongation, at 47° west of the Sun. 0700
25 Ceres, the largest asteroid, is 0° 8' south of the Moon. Occultation of Ceres by the Moon. 1200
25 Venus is 6° north of the Moon. 2300
26 Neptune is 4° north of the Moon. 0100
26 Venus is 1° 9' north of Neptune. 2100
27 Uranus is 1° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 1500
27 Mercury is 2° north of the Moon. 1700
28 Moon is at perigee. 0700
29 NEW MOON. Total eclipse of the Sun. 1000
29 Pluto appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 1500

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April

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
3 Mars is 4° south of the Moon. 2000
5 FIRST QUARTER 1200
5 Saturn appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde motion to direct motion. 1200
6 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 2300
8 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 28° west of the Sun. 1900
9 The Moon is at apogee. 1300
13 FULL MOON 1700
13 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 3' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 1700
15 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1500
17 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 2' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0900
18 Venus is 0° 3' north of Uranus. 1200
21 LAST QUARTER 0300
22 Neptune is 4° north of the Moon. 0900
24 Uranus is 1° 2' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 0200
24 Venus is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Venus by the Moon. 1400
25 The Moon is at perigee. 1100
26 Mercury is 4° south of the Moon. 0800
27 NEW MOON 2000

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May

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
2 Mars is 4° south of the Moon. 1100
3 Pallas, the second-largest asteroid, appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 0300
4 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 0900
4 Jupiter is at opposition. 1500
5 FIRST QUARTER 0500
7 The Moon is at apogee. 0700
11 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 3' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0000
12 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1600
13 FULL MOON 0700
14 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 1' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 1500
18 Mercury is in superior conjunction. 2000
19 Neptune is 4° north of the Moon. 1500
20 LAST QUARTER 0900
21 Uranus is 1° 0' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 1000
22 The Moon is at perigee. 1500
22 Neptune appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 1700
24 Venus is 4° south of the Moon. 0800
25 Mars is 5° south of Pollux, the brightest star in the constellation Gemini. 0500
27 NEW MOON 0500
31 Mars is 3° south of the Moon. 0300
31 Vesta, the third-largest asteroid, is 0° 9' south of the Moon. Occultation of Vesta by the Moon. 1200
31 Saturn is 4° south of the Moon. 2100

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June

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
3 FIRST QUARTER 2300
4 The Moon is at apogee. 0200
7 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 1' south of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0900
8 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1900
10 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 1' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 2300
11 FULL MOON 1800
15 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 2100
16 The Moon is at perigee. 1700
16 Pluto is at opposition. 1700
17 Uranus is 0° 6' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 1700
17 Mars is 0° 6' north of Saturn. 2300
18 LAST QUARTER 1400
19 Uranus appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 1600
20 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 25° east of the Sun. 2000
20 Mercury is 6° south of Pollux. 2300
21 Solstice 1200
23 Venus is 6° south of the Moon. 0300
25 NEW MOON 1600
26 Ceres, the largest asteroid, appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 1200
27 Mercury is 5° south of the Moon. 1400
28 Saturn is 3° south of the Moon. 1100
28 Vesta, the third-largest asteroid, is 0° 2' north of the Moon. Occultation of Vesta by the Moon. 1900
28 Mars is 2° south of the Moon. 2100

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July

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 The Moon is at apogee. 2000
1 Pallas, the second-largest asteroid, is at opposition. 2000
2 Venus is 4° north of Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation Taurus. 2000
3 FIRST QUARTER 1700
3 Earth is at aphelion. 2300
4 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves from its greatest elongation east of the Sun back toward a position west of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 0200
4 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 1' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 1700
6 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 0200
6 Jupiter appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 1900
8 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 2' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0800
11 FULL MOON 0300
13 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 0400
13 The Moon is at perigee. 1800
14 Uranus is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 2300
17 LAST QUARTER 1900
18 Mercury is in inferior conjunction. 0700
22 Mars is 0° 7' north of Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. 0600
23 Venus is 6° south of the Moon. 0000
25 NEW MOON 0500
27 Mars is 1° 1' south of the Moon. Occultation of Mars by the Moon. 1700
28 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves toward its greatest elongation west of the Sun from a position east of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 1700
29 The Moon is at apogee. 1300

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August

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0100
2 FIRST QUARTER 0900
2 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1200
4 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 1800
6 Mercury is 9° south of Pollux, the brightest star in the constellation Gemini. 1200
7 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 19° west of the Sun. 0100
7 Saturn is in conjunction with the Sun. 1200
8 Venus is 7° south of Pollux, the brightest star in the constellation Gemini. 0800
9 FULL MOON 1100
9 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 1200
10 The Moon is at perigee. 1800
11 Neptune is at opposition. 0500
11 Uranus is 0° 3' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 0600
12 Ceres, the largest asteroid, is at opposition. 1500
16 LAST QUARTER 0200
20 Mercury is 0° 5' north of Saturn. 2300
22 Venus is 3° south of the Moon. 0300
23 NEW MOON 1900
24 Pallas, the second-largest asteroid, appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 1000
25 Mars is 0° 6' north of the Moon. Occultation of Mars by the Moon. 1400
26 The Moon is at apogee. 0100
26 Venus is 0° 07' north of Saturn. 2300
28 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0800
30 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 0100
31 FIRST QUARTER 2300

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September

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0200
1 Mercury is in superior conjunction. 0500
2 The asteroid Juno is in conjunction with the Sun. 0600
5 Pluto appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 1100
5 Uranus is at opposition. 1100
5 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 2200
5 Venus is 0° 8' north of Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. 2300
7 Uranus is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 1500
7 FULL MOON. Partial eclipse of the Moon. 1900
8 The Moon is at perigee. 0300
11 Vesta, the third largest asteroid, is in conjunction with the Sun. 0100
14 LAST QUARTER 1100
15 Mercury is 0° 2' south of Mars. 2100
19 Saturn is 2° south of the Moon. 0300
22 The Moon is at apogee. 0500
22 NEW MOON. Annular eclipse of the Sun. 1200
23 Equinox 0400
24 Mercury is 1° 8' north of the Moon. 0400
24 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 1400
26 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 1600
27 Mercury is 1° 3' north Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. 1500
28 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0800
30 FIRST QUARTER 1100

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October

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
3 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 0700
5 Uranus is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 0000
5 Ceres, the largest asteroid, appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 2000
6 The Moon is at perigee. 1400
7 FULL MOON 0300
14 LAST QUARTER 0000
16 Saturn is 2° south of the Moon. 1400
17 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 25° east of the Sun. 0400
19 The Moon is at apogee. 1000
19 The asteroid Juno is 0° 3' north of the Moon. Occultation of Juno by the Moon. 1800
22 NEW MOON 0500
23 Mars is in conjunction with the Sun. 0700
24 Jupiter is 5° north of the Moon. 0800
24 Mercury is 1° 4' north of the Moon. 0800
25 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 1400
25 Mercury is 4° south of Jupiter. 2200
27 Venus is in superior conjunction. 1800
28 Mercury is 4° south of Jupiter. 1400
29 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves from its greatest elongation east of the Sun back toward a position west of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 0000
29 Neptune appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 0700
29 FIRST QUARTER 2100
30 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 1400

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November

For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.
Day Phenomenon Hour
1 Uranus is 0° 5' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 0800
4 The Moon is at perigee. 0000
5 FULL MOON 1300
8 Mercury is in inferior conjunction, transit over the Sun. 2200
12 LAST QUARTER 1800
13 Saturn is 1° 6' south of the Moon. 0100
15 The Moon is at apogee. 2300
17 Mercury appears to be motionless in the sky as it moves toward its greatest elongation west of the Sun from a position east of the Sun as viewed from Earth. 1900
18 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 6' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 0300
19 Mercury is 6° north of the Moon. 1300
20 Uranus appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from retrograde to direct motion. 1400
20 NEW MOON 2200
21 Jupiter is in conjunction with the Sun. 2300
25 Mercury is at its greatest elongation, at 20° west of the Sun. 1300
26 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 2100
28 FIRST QUARTER 0600
28 Uranus is 0° 3' north of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 1500

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For terms in boldface, see Astronomical Terms.  DECEMBER, 2006
Day Phenomenon Hour
2 The Moon is at perigee. 0000
5 FULL MOON 0000
6 Saturn appears to be motionless in the sky as it goes from direct motion to retrograde motion. 2000
9 Mercury is 1° 0' north of Mars. 2000
10 Saturn is 1° 2' south of the Moon. Occultation of Saturn by the Moon. 1100
10 Mercury is 0° 1' north of Jupiter. 1600
12 Mars is 0° 8' south of Jupiter. 0000
12 LAST QUARTER 1500
13 The Moon is at apogee. 1900
14 Mercury is 5° north of Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius. 0800
15 Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, is 0° 8' north of the Moon. Occultation of Spica by the Moon. 1100
18 Pluto is in conjunction with the Sun. 1500
18 Jupiter is 6° north of the Moon. 2100
19 Mars is 4° north of Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius. 0300
19 Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, is 0° 4' north of the Moon. Occultation of Antares by the Moon. 0400
19 Mars is 5° north of the Moon. 0400
20 NEW MOON 1400
22 Solstice 0000
24 Neptune is 3° north of the Moon. 0300
25 Uranus is 0° 08' south of the Moon. Occultation of Uranus by the Moon. 2100
27 FIRST QUARTER 1500
28 The Moon is at perigee. 0200

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