Startalk Radio – Things You Thought You Knew – The Dark Side of the Moon

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, the hosts dive into the fascinating topic of the dark side of the moon. They debunk common misconceptions about the moon’s dark side and explore the intricacies of our calendar system. Join them as they unravel the mysteries surrounding the moon and shed light on the truth.

Main Takeaways

The Calendar System

• A year is a trip around the sun, but it is mapped out to 365 days for social convenience.
• Every four years, an extra day is added to February to account for the incomplete orbit of Earth.
• This overcorrects the calendar, leading to an extra day every century that shouldn’t be there.
• To fix this, we skip the leap year every 100 years, except for every 400 years.

The Different Types of Years

• The sidereal year is the time it takes for Earth to return to a specific point in space relative to all the stars.
• The seasonal year is the time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit around the sun and repeat the same seasons.
• The orbital year is the time it takes for Earth to return to its closest point to the sun and then back again.

The Dark Side of the Moon

• The moon does not have a dark side, it is all dark.
• The far side of the moon receives the same amount of sunlight as the near side.
• A day on the moon lasts for 30 Earth days, with 15 days of sunlight and 15 days of darkness.
• The moon’s lack of atmosphere causes extreme temperature differences between the sunlit and shaded areas.

Physics and Reference Frames

• Moving reference frames can affect how we perceive motion.
• Seats on planes are aligned to make it easier to navigate during an emergency.
• If you jump while the plane is slowing down, you will not land in the same spot because the plane’s speed is decreasing.
• Acceleration and deceleration during takeoff and landing changes your relationship to the fuselage.

Summary

The Calendar System

Our calendar system is designed to account for the incomplete orbit of Earth around the sun. Every four years, we add an extra day to February to balance the accounting. However, this overcorrects the calendar, resulting in an extra day every century. To rectify this, we skip the leap year every 100 years, except for every 400 years. This complex system ensures that our calendar aligns with the seasons and the time it takes for Earth to complete its orbit.

The Different Types of Years

There are different types of years that measure different aspects of Earth’s orbit. The sidereal year measures the time it takes for Earth to return to a specific point in space relative to all the stars. The seasonal year measures the time it takes for Earth to complete one orbit around the sun and repeat the same seasons. The orbital year measures the time it takes for Earth to return to its closest point to the sun and then back again. Each type of year serves a different purpose and helps us understand the complexities of Earth’s journey through space.

The Dark Side of the Moon

Contrary to popular belief, the moon does not have a dark side. The far side of the moon receives the same amount of sunlight as the near side. However, due to the moon’s lack of atmosphere, extreme temperature differences exist between the sunlit and shaded areas. A day on the moon lasts for 30 Earth days, with 15 days of sunlight and 15 days of darkness. This unique environment poses challenges for exploration and the search for resources such as ice or frozen water.

Physics and Reference Frames

Understanding reference frames is crucial in physics. Moving reference frames can affect our perception of motion. For example, seats on planes are aligned to make it easier to navigate during emergencies, taking into account the reference frame of the plane’s motion. Jumping while the plane is slowing down will not land you in the same spot because the plane’s speed is decreasing. Acceleration and deceleration during takeoff and landing also change our relationship to the fuselage. Exploring these concepts helps us grasp the complexities of motion in different scenarios.

Conclusion

As we unravel the mysteries of the moon and delve into the intricacies of our calendar system, it becomes clear that there is always more to learn and discover. By challenging common misconceptions and exploring the science behind these phenomena, we gain a deeper understanding of our world and the forces that shape it. Let’s continue to question, explore, and seek the truth in our ever-evolving quest for knowledge.