Learn about the Moon
Short, simple guides behind the times on this site.
Why does the Moon change shape?
A simple explanation of the Moon's phases, from Amavasya to Purnima, and why the cycle takes about 29.5 days.
What is a tithi?
How the Hindu lunar day (tithi) is calculated from the angle between the Sun and Moon, and why festivals sometimes move by a day.
Why is moonrise at different times in different cities?
Why Kolkata sees the moon up to an hour before Mumbai, even though all of India uses the same time zone.
How to spot the new crescent moon (Eid and Chandra Darshan)
Practical tips for seeing the thin crescent after Amavasya: where to look, when, and why it is often missed.