MOON PHASE

We are celebrating Moon Day, marking the day in 1969 when a man first walked on the moon.

What’s up with the moon?

It has been nearly 45 years since humans have been to the moon, but our nearest celestial body will be getting a lot of attention this year. On Aug. 21, the moon will block out the sun during the total solar eclipse that will be visible in many parts of North America. Later this year, five teams will launch unmanned rovers as part of a Google-sponsored competition to land robotics on the moon that can move around and send back high-resolution images. Here are some of the missions to the moon and how humans say the moon influences things on Earth.

MOON PHASE FOLKLORE

July 20, 2017: The moon will be 12 percent illuminated in the Waning Crescent phase. According to moon phase folklore in the Farmer's Almanac, it might be a good time to castrate a bull. Here are some other things to do by moon phase:

New moon

Fishing is best between the new and full moon.

Full moon

Crabbing, shrimping and clamming are best when the moon is full. Dig your horseradish in the full moon for the best flavor.

Waxing (gaining) moon

Slaughter when the moon is waxing for juicier meat. Set eggs to hatch on the moon's increase, but not if a south wind blows.

Waning (lessening) moon

Castrate and dehorn animals when the moon is waning for less bleeding. The Farmer's Almanac has a list of full moon names from the Algonquin tribes. They were created to help tribes track the seasons.

FULL MOON MONTHS

January Wolf Moon: Wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. February

Snow Moon: Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Also known as the Hunger Moon due to the difficulty for hunting. March

Worm Moon: When the ground begins to soften and earthworms appear. Also known as the Sap Moon, because maple sap begins to flow. April

Pink Moon: The wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers, begins to appear. Also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon. May

Flower Moon: Named for the abundance of flowers. Also known as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon. June

Strawberry Moon: The time they ripen. Also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon. July

Buck Moon: A buck's antlers are in full growth. Also known as the Thunder Moon. August

Sturgeon Moon: A good fishing month. Others called it the Green Corn Moon. September

Corn Moon: The time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon. October

Hunter's Moon. Time for hunting and the storing of provisions for winter. November Beaver Moon: Time to set beaver traps before the freeze. Also called the Frost Moon. December

Cold Moon: Nights become long and dark.

Sources: U.S. National Space Science Data Center; Patterson Clark, The Washington Post; NASA; RFSA, ISAS/JAXA, ISRO, ESA, ISA, the Planetary Society, Nature, news reports, Charles Apple, The Farmer's Almanac

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