caught up with Elaine

I phoned Elaine regarding a work project matter. We caught up.

She was curious when the Carr would be open. I shared that there was a glacier on the road the last time we checked but we'd have a look on Thursday. Phil is on duty and will send out an update.

Then Elaine asked a general Moon question. "Why is it called First Quarter when half of it is lit. It's confusing." I concurred. Explained it required a deeper scientific understanding. And that one had to imagine leaving the Earth for a moment, to fly over the north pole. Orbital position, in its counter clockwise journey. And then I relayed my big pet peeve, that the term Last Quarter is frequently used at the "third" position in the orbit. Adding to the confusion. She liked my explanation of lunar quarters.

That prompted another question. She wanted to know what the little dot was beside the Moon image on the RASC calendar. Libration indicator. What?! I had her surf into the amazing wikipedia and watch the lunar libration animation. I explained the Moon wobbles and bobs and weaves and how to interpret the indicator. Libration allows us to see more than half the Moon's surface. Like challenging Orientale. She understood right away.

She said, "You know an awful lot about Moon for hating it so much."

Know thy enemy.