Oh, is that why!
I subscribed to an online Page-A-Day calendar last year, and for Valentine's, they gave me a code to subscribe to one for free this year. So I opted for the Fact or Crap calendar. Browsing January, I got the answer to a puzzlement: Why do you see the whole moon even when it's new? Y'know, you look up, see that bare line of a crescent, but can also make out the rest of the circle, the rest of the moon. Why isn't the dark part completely invisible? Earthshine, that's why. Just like the moon, the Earth reflects sunlight, too - enough to let you make out the whole moon even when it's dark. The strength of the earthshine depends on Earth's cloud cover. I knew the Earth reflected light, like the moon, if not as well; I just never realized that was why a new moon is visible. UPDATE: There was a derailment in the comments; two trains of thought couldn't stay on the same track. My American pop culture references do not extend to TV-series of the 1950...
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Looks like CA to me, maybe around LA? Those mountains in the background look like the ones north of LA.
I'm going to be there in a couple of weeks. I can't wait...
Can you tell I'm exited?
Tom
Nice pic, Keera. :)
Paula, thanks! Is it freezing like it did last year? Because that was very strange! Of course, a heatwave at Christmas is strange, too.
Elyrest, we're headed for an earlyish spring in Norway, too. The snow's almost gone in our mountains which is way too soon.
Alice and Jono, say hi to Tom when you meet him on the warm, sunny beach! I have to stay put for a bit. :-)
I've seen the weather forecast so it looks as though CA is as cold as the UK for the time being but that's nice - good beaches without the sun-worshiping surfer dudes. I'm fine with that!
In the meantime I'm just loving the English countryside but am hoping to take a picture or two of the California coast in flower season next week!
Hope you had a great time in CA, Keera!
Tom