2023-08-20 -- Moon Photography

Did you know that the weather on the moon is clear and sunny?

The truth is that we do not know many things, and perhaps what we don't know is a lot more than what we know.

Abu Ali Sina(1), renowned as Avicenna, was a brilliant Iranian polymath. His vast knowledge, particularly in medicine, laid the foundation for countless medical texts. Yet, his intellectual pursuits extended far beyond medicine. Two of his monumental works encapsulated a comprehensive understanding of various disciplines, from philosophy to astronomy.

Today, even the most comprehensive libraries don't contain all knowledge. This is a positive aspect, as it encourages humility in those who doubt the extent of human understanding.

Scientific methods enable us to make highly accurate predictions about the outcomes of various phenomena. New scientific ideas must either align with existing knowledge or provide a more comprehensive explanation that allows for accurate predictions of previously unknown or unpredictable outcomes. Ultimately, the margin of error in these predictions is continually shrinking.

Newton's laws of motion provide the foundation for launching satellites into the outer reaches of our solar system. However, General Relativity is necessary to account for the limitations of Newtonian mechanics in extreme gravitational fields, where Newtonian laws may break down or become insufficient.

When scientific logic falters, there's no recourse to a divine plan. Instead, scientists return to their research, dedicated to uncovering new insights and explanations.

One of the most interesting outcomes of a scientific concept is that anyone can use it, even if they don't understand the underlying principles. For example:

Let's imagine we want to boil water to make tea. We know that at sea level, pure water boils at exactly 100 degrees Celsius. We can measure the mass of the water and know the specific heat capacity of water, which is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius.  

To calculate the energy needed to boil the water, we can use the following formula:

Energy = Mass × Specific Heat Capacity × Temperature Change

For example, if we want to heat 250 grams of water from 20°C to 100°C:

  • Mass of water: 250 grams
  • Specific heat capacity of water: 4.186 Joules/gram/°C
  • Temperature change: 100°C - 20°C = 80°C

Energy = 250g × 4.186 J/g°C × 80°C ≈ 83,720 Joules

So, we need about 83,720 Joules of energy to boil 250 grams of water from 20°C to 100°C.

Not only can we calculate the theoretical energy required to boil water, but we can also measure the actual energy consumption in real-world scenarios.

We can enjoy our steamed tea without delving into complex scientific calculations. Through practical experience, we've learned that a half-filled kettle on a high-powered stove burner typically boils water in about 2 minutes.

While this may seem like a simple observation, it's actually a simplified application of scientific principles. Factors like heat transfer, water volume, and burner power influence the boiling time. While we don't have a universally accurate formula for every specific scenario, our everyday experiences provide a practical understanding of these principles.

This is akin to the relationship between Newtonian and Einsteinian physics. Newton's laws offer a good approximation for many everyday situations, but for extreme conditions, Einstein's theory of relativity provides more precise predictions.

While we may not need to understand the complex scientific principles behind boiling water to enjoy our tea, it's important to consider the environmental impact of our actions. Wasting energy contributes to climate change and other environmental issues. By being mindful of our energy consumption and making small changes, we can reduce our impact on the planet.

For example, using an electric kettle, which is more energy-efficient than a stovetop, can help reduce energy waste. Additionally, boiling only the amount of water needed can significantly reduce energy consumption.

Even small actions can make a difference. By being aware of our energy usage and making conscious choices, we can contribute to a more sustainable future.

The good news is that, because most cooktops, kettles, and tap water compositions are fairly similar, we can reliably predict the time it takes to boil water for tea. This is a simple application of scientific principles, even if it's intuitive and often unconscious. By understanding these factors, we can make consistent and efficient use of our kitchen appliances.

When we put water on the stove to boil, we don't expect any surprises. We know that under normal circumstances, it will boil within a reasonable timeframe. If it doesn't, we investigate potential issues, such as a faulty burner or a gas leak. We take immediate action to ensure safety, rather than passively waiting for a mysterious "plan" to unfold. 

Many people tend to blame their tools when a photo of the moon doesn't turn out as expected. In the past, they might have blamed film processing or photo editing software. Today, they often attribute the issue to their phone's camera or AI image processing. This tendency to externalize blame can be frustrating, especially when it stems from a lack of understanding of photography techniques and technology.

It's important to remember that even the best equipment won't produce a great photo if the photographer doesn't know how to use it. By learning basic photography principles and practicing, individuals can significantly improve their moon photography skills. While luck can sometimes play a role, consistent effort and knowledge are key to achieving desired results.

Rigid adherence to a predetermined "plan" can hinder scientific inquiry. However, a truly scientific approach involves flexibility and a willingness to adapt to new information and unexpected discoveries.

We can see the moon at night because it reflects sunlight. While it's daytime on the side of the Moon facing the Sun, we see it at night because the Earth is blocking direct sunlight from reaching us. Additionally, the Moon's lack of atmosphere means there are no clouds to obscure its surface, providing a clear view.

The formula is simple: "Standard Clear Noon Light". Even older cell phones have settings to adjust brightness and exposure.

ISO 100,

Shutter Speed 1/125 Sec

Aperture 1/16

Doubling one value requires halving another.

To capture a good photo of the moon, use a standard daylight setting on your camera. This is a straightforward approach based on scientific principles of light and exposure. There's no need to rely on a mysterious "plan" or hope for luck. By understanding the basics of photography, you can consistently take better moon photos.




(c) I personally took these photos and own the rights to them. Please feel free to use them as you wish.

 

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avicenna


 

Comments