The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-21
THE MOON AND THE WEATHER,

Superstitions concerning the effect of
the moon on the earth are very common,
but are wholly without foundation in re-
atty. The relation of the moon to the
earth is simply that of satellite, whose
attraction has an important influence on
the earth's motion in its orbit, and on the
shifting level of its oceans, causing the
tides. 1t might be supposed that if the
face of the earth che can also attract its
atmosphere, and thus through movements
of the air currents, have a perceptible in
huence upon the weather. But investiga.
ton shows that as the aerial mass is in
no way confined in estuaries or CULTS,
it's tide caused by external attraction
must be slight. So far as can be indicat-
ed by the barometer it is too small to be
worth reckoning, being less than .0O1 of
an inch. The idea that the position of
the new moon concerns the weather is
utterly without reason. The nearly hor-
izontal crescent which is said to foretell
dry month is always seen when the
plane of the moons orbit is SO situated
with regard to the earth, as to carry the
moon past conjunction above the sun,
and the vertical cresent-which is called
wet moon because it pours the water
out-appears when the luminary passes
conjunction below the sun. In neither
case can there be anything to affect
the moisture of the atmosphere. 1t is
true that many people will say that they
have observed this sign and "never
knew it to fall" but the fact with this
as with most "signs' is that coinci-
dences which prove the sign are noticed
and remembered, while those which do
not are overlooked and forgotten. Any
one who will take the trouble to write
down the condition at every lunation will
End that tile showing for the sign is very
doubtful at the end of the year. At Mu
mich, Germany, observations were taken
for over twenty years of the condition OF
the moon on every rainy day. The sum
OF these gave the larger proportion OF
rainy days in the last half of the lunation,
or during the waning moon. But similar
observations made at Montpelier, France,
showed directly opposite result, SO that
nothing can be said to be proved by
either series of observations, A very
generally received idea is that changes in
the weather usually coincide with changes
of the moon. But at Vienna series of
observations gave 100 new moons with
So changes of weather; 100 full moons
with 90 changes OF weather, and 100
changes of each quarter, 63 changes. The
result might be supposed to indicate
that the new moon brings the fewest
changes of weather, which is directly
contrary to tradition. Another observer,
by counting two days on each side of the
days of the new moon, found six new
moons out of seven bring changes of
weather. But it must be remembered |
that in the tickle climate OF the temper
ate zone, il we we're to take any five days |
Of the month for observation, we should
find a majority of them bring change.
Another belief that the moon disperses.
Or, as sailors say, seats" the clouds, can
be defended, as the full moon reflects a
very little solar heat which may have
sufficient power TO expand vapor and dis
iipate clouds. The traditions concern
ng the time of the moon to SOW garden
eed, TO kill pork, to cut timber and the
ike, are founded neither on fact, nor ra-
innal theory of any kind, and need only
0 be tested to show their entire absurdity
- Inter Ocean.