Philosophy
Abstract:
Happy end-of-the-year evening and night events provide good opportunities to explain the phases of the moon. The need for such moon phase education is once again demonstrated, through an investigation of illustrations on Santa Claus and Christmas gift wrap and in children's books, in two countries which have been important in shaping the image of Santa Claus and his predecessor Sinterklaas: The Netherlands and the USA. The moon on Halloween illustrations is also considered. The lack of knowledge concerning the physical origin of the moon phases, or lack of interest in understanding, is found to be widespread in The Netherlands but is also clearly present in the USA, and is quite possibly global. Definitely incomplete, but surely representative lists compiling both scientifically correct and scientifically incorrect gift wrap and children's books are also presented.
"Santa and the moon" by Peter Barthel
- When Is Belief In Santa Claus Rational?
We can start from the assertion that anyone older than 18 cannot rationally believe in the existence of Santa. Is it ever rational? For a five year old, you have a number of ways of acquiring this as a reasonable belief. First, there is a seemingly legitimate...
- Moon Gets 2.5 Minutes Of Fame On Youtube
"Video: Year of Moon Motion in 2.5 Minutes" by Alice Vincent June 15th, 2011 Wired UK Many claim to see a man in the moon, but now an animation has been made that showcases a year’s worth of moon movements in less than three minutes. Topographical...
- 14% Wider And 30% Brighter...our Moon Tomorrow Night
FULL MOON...AND MARS Friday night's full Moon is the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year. It's a "perigee Moon," as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than other full Moons you'll see later in 2010. But that's not all. Mars is...
- A "blue Moon" On December 31st...literally
This is truly a rare occasion for on December 31st there will really be a "blue moon". "A Blue Moon For New Year's Eve" by Dave Reneke December 22nd, 2009 Moon Daily When you hear someone say "Once in a Blue Moon " you know what they mean. They're...
- Blue Moon
In all these years I cannot recall seeing a "blue moon". Of course the moon is not really blue, but it can adorn the appearance of blueness [and other colors]--all based on the particulate matter dispersed in the atmosphere such as volcanic eruptions...
Philosophy
Santa Claus and moon phases
Abstract:
Happy end-of-the-year evening and night events provide good opportunities to explain the phases of the moon. The need for such moon phase education is once again demonstrated, through an investigation of illustrations on Santa Claus and Christmas gift wrap and in children's books, in two countries which have been important in shaping the image of Santa Claus and his predecessor Sinterklaas: The Netherlands and the USA. The moon on Halloween illustrations is also considered. The lack of knowledge concerning the physical origin of the moon phases, or lack of interest in understanding, is found to be widespread in The Netherlands but is also clearly present in the USA, and is quite possibly global. Definitely incomplete, but surely representative lists compiling both scientifically correct and scientifically incorrect gift wrap and children's books are also presented.
"Santa and the moon" by Peter Barthel
- When Is Belief In Santa Claus Rational?
We can start from the assertion that anyone older than 18 cannot rationally believe in the existence of Santa. Is it ever rational? For a five year old, you have a number of ways of acquiring this as a reasonable belief. First, there is a seemingly legitimate...
- Moon Gets 2.5 Minutes Of Fame On Youtube
"Video: Year of Moon Motion in 2.5 Minutes" by Alice Vincent June 15th, 2011 Wired UK Many claim to see a man in the moon, but now an animation has been made that showcases a year’s worth of moon movements in less than three minutes. Topographical...
- 14% Wider And 30% Brighter...our Moon Tomorrow Night
FULL MOON...AND MARS Friday night's full Moon is the biggest and brightest full Moon of the year. It's a "perigee Moon," as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than other full Moons you'll see later in 2010. But that's not all. Mars is...
- A "blue Moon" On December 31st...literally
This is truly a rare occasion for on December 31st there will really be a "blue moon". "A Blue Moon For New Year's Eve" by Dave Reneke December 22nd, 2009 Moon Daily When you hear someone say "Once in a Blue Moon " you know what they mean. They're...
- Blue Moon
In all these years I cannot recall seeing a "blue moon". Of course the moon is not really blue, but it can adorn the appearance of blueness [and other colors]--all based on the particulate matter dispersed in the atmosphere such as volcanic eruptions...