The Moon as seen from different latitudes by Peter Geldart

The Moon as seen from different latitudes by Peter Geldart

Why does the Moon's altitude and azimuth (where it rises and sets) vary from night to night? What do people from the equator to polar regions see?

The Moon is a creature of the tropics: from the northern hemisphere at mid-latitudes we see it to the south and similarly, from the southern hemisphere to the north. It moves above and below the Earth's equatorial plane during the month so we see it in slightly different positions each night. As you move away from tropical latitudes it will appear progressively lower, and due to the Earth's fixed tilt, the Moon is seen higher in winter than in summer.

The Moon's apparent altitude depends on your latitude on Earth and the Moon's declination (the angle it makes with the Earth's equatorial plane). The formula for maximum altitude is given. The Moon can only be seen at the zenith within, at the most, 28.5 latitude north and south. The author presents charts of the Moon's altitude as seen from various latitudes in summer and winter and discuss upper and lower transits.