Does the moon look the same all round the world?

Does the Moon look the same in different Countries?

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As the moon orbits the earth, we see the sunlit part of the moon.

People in different countries see the moon in a slightly different way. In the Southern Hemisphere, people see the moon 'upside down' so the side which is shining (sunlit) seems the opposite from the Northern Hemisphere.

Phases of the moon as seen in the Northern Hemisphere

Phases of the moon as seen in the Southern Hemisphere

Message from one of our visitors:
Thank you so much. Your site is fantastic. Mind you, I must admit, I am not a little person - I'm 57 but have been fascinated and puzzled by the moon for years.

While watching the coverage of the F1 motor race which took place in Melborne, Australia, I noted that the moon was the wrong way up. I asked my brother-in-law (who usually knows everything) but he was unable to explain, so I went online and searched through Google.

Thank you very much I really enjoyed reading your pages and now I can say I know what was always puzzling me all along.

Many thanks

Sue N

In the Northern Hemisphere the sunlit part of the moon moves from right to left.

In the Southern Hemisphere the sunlit part moves from the left to the right.

The images below show what the moon looks like in the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere

Southern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere

	Introduction to phases		Tips for Moon watching
	Shapes of the Moon		Moon around the world
	Time to see each phase		Facts about the Moon
	Moon Calendar 2009		Moon animation

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