wmMoonClock displays the current phase of the moon. Clicking on the icon brings up different displays --
there are 5 in all. The different "pages" are;
FirstPage
Shows the Moon phase image.
SecondPage
Shows the current Local Time (LT) and Universal Time (UT), the Moon's Age (number of days since
last new moon), the geometric (as opposed to temporal) fraction of the way through the current
lunar cyle (e.g. 50 for full moon), the fraction of the Moon's disc that is illuminated (ratio of
area illuminated to total area of disc) and whether the Moon is (locally) visible of not (i.e. is
it above the horizon?).
ThirdPage
Shows the Rise and Set times for yesterday (first line), today (middle line), and tommorrow (last
line). If the Moon does not rise or set on a given day a `null time' is shown (--:--). Note that
these times should still be good for high latitude observers. Also note that there will always be
at least one (--:--) showing up per month. This is because once per month the Moon will rise (set)
on a given day but will set (rise) in the very early portion of the next day.
FourthPage
Shows the Moon's horizon coordinates (i.e. the Altitude/Azimuth system). Azimuth is measured in
degrees CCW from due south, and altitude is measured in degrees from the horizon up to the Moon.
Distance (Dist) is measured in units on Earth radii (1 Re is about 6370km). Note that this is a
local coordinate system and will not be correct if the observer's latitude and longitude are not
set correctly.
FifthPage
Shows the Moon's ecliptic coordinates. (i.e. the Right Ascention/Declination system). Useful for
astronomers?
Many of the quantities shown will not be correct unless LT and UT are correct, and the user specifies the
proper latitude and longitude.