Resolution of the World ③ When the Moon Shines High

*This is an article that investigates and confirms the height of the first quarter moon in the spring of 2026 from the perspectives of nature observation and astronomy.

Resolution of the World ③
What the angle of my upturned neck taught me
—— In the spring of 2026, the first quarter moon was higher than usual

The spring crescent moon 🌙 is shaped like the bottom of a boat.
To me, it looks like a smiling mouth.

Wanting to meet its gaze,
I open my window on spring nights to search for the moon.

The original meaning of a crescent moon
is the representation of the thin moon on the third day after the new moon, but
while it is in the bow shape before it becomes a half moon 🌓 on the fourth, fifth, and so on days,
I take the liberty of calling it a "crescent moon" during this "crescent moon period."

The "crescent moon period" ends on the eighth day when it becomes the first quarter moon (half moon).
However, a half moon has its own unique beauty,
so I look up at the night sky to find the moon just as I did before.

Where is the half-full moon now...
When I searched the sky on that day (3/26), it was shining in a place higher than I expected.

──Was the moon always this high?

I tilt my head far back, and the tip of my chin points to the heavens.
It was almost at the zenith, and naturally, I couldn't find it from inside the window.
I go outside and look up at the sky.
Only then was it at a height where I could see it.

──Isn't it higher than the summer solstice sun?

I might have learned this in school a long time ago, but
sadly, I don't remember.

And so,
the third installment of the Resolution of the World series
will cover "Lunar Altitude".

Let's increase the resolution of the world.
Let's polish the lens of our hearts.

Ⅰ. Lunar Orbit (Ecliptic)

The moon does not travel along the same path as the sun (the ecliptic).
It orbits the Earth on a path tilted 5° from that.

Because of that──

• Even in the same season

• the height of the moon changes slightly every year

Furthermore,

• the tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation

• the tilt of the moon's orbit

As these overlap,
years occur when the moon rises very high.
The sky is slightly different every year.
*Fluctuates in an approximately 18.6-year cycle

II. The Moon in the Spring of 2026

I found an explanation on the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan's Calendar Wiki.
CalendarWiki/Moonrise, Moonset, and Meridian Passage/Meridian Altitude - NAOJ Ephemeris Computation Office

The first-quarter moon around the spring equinox of 2026 was quite special.
Checking the graph, the meridian altitude exceeds 80 degrees.

This is a height that almost touches the zenith.

Incidentally, the height of the sun at the summer solstice
only reaches about 78 degrees.

The half-moon on March 26th, which I 'looked up at until my neck hurt,'
had indeed risen to a very high position.

III. The Full Moon of This Winter

Come to think of it, I recall.
The full moon of this winter (2025–2026) was also unusually high.

A full moon occurs
when the sun and moon are directly opposite each other with the Earth in betweentime.

Therefore,
in summer (when the sun is high), the full moon is low,
and in winter (when the sun is low), the full moon is high,
which is a logic I understand, but
I felt, 'Still, isn't it a bit too high?'

Checking the Calendar Wiki, it is as shown in the figure below.

The feeling I had at that time,
'Isn't it too high?',
was not just my imagination.

My body had properly perceived the world.

IV. The Next Full Moon...?

According to the figure above, the full moon around this year's spring equinox
will be at a height of around 55°.

Although the recent half-moon was near the zenith,
if the next full moon is to be at an altitude of around 55°,
will it look like it is lowering its altitude little by little each day?

The next full moon is on Thursday, April 2nd.

Due to spring haze and cloudy weather,
it is not guaranteed that I will be able to observe the moon as I wish every day.

However, I think I will go outside every night and see for myself
how the altitude changes.

I touch on this a little in my voice letter as well.