Diameter: 2,160 miles / 3,476 kilometers
Circumference: 6,790 miles / 10,930 kilometers
The moon rises around sunset when it's a full Moon, and sunrise when it's a new moon.
Moon months
Our months are linked to the movements of the moon. The moon passes between the earth and the sun every 29½ days - then there is a new moon. In Jewish and Muslim calendars a new month begins - all the months have 29 or 30 days.
Honey Moon
The June full moon was called the Mead or Honey moon. The name derives from the hives being full of honey at this time of the year. The honey would have been fermented and made into mead. Traditionally, a honey drink was taken after wedding ceremonies held on the Summer Solstice. This is the derivation of 'honeymoon'.
Blue Moon
Due to the moon's cycle being 29½ days, there are occasionally - as in July 2004 - two full moons in one month (only happens on average every 2.7 years). Then the second moon of the month is called a 'blue moon'.
There will be two blue moons in 2018.
Dark Moon
When two new moons occur in a month, the second is called a 'dark moon'.
The new moon is also sometimes called the dark moon - at this phase there is no illumination on the earth's side.
Harvest Moon
The full moon nearest to the Autumn Equinox is called the 'Harvest moon'. This is because for several nights it appears large and bright in the early evening, bringing farmers valuable extra time to gather in their harvest.
The Celtic year was once divided into 13 months - one for each moon occuring during the year.
Lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Moon and the Sun. Because full Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth - Lunar eclipses can only happen when the Moon is full. Though not as thrilling as a solar eclipse, the Moon can be seen to magically change colour, becoming coppery or even red - this is due to light being reflected from the Earth onto the Moon's surface (known as 'earthshine'). During the eclipse you can see the Earth’s shadow slowly reach across the surface of the Moon.
If you want to find past moon phases try this site - Real magick
