Astronomical Diary for 2001 for Maine
All times and dates in Eastern Time

The Astronomical Diary for 2001 (giving times of equinoxes, solstices, a lunar eclipse, New and Full Moon phases, and beginning/ending dates of Daylight Savings time) is tabulated below.  It reports these in the time format most useful to Maine, i.e. all times are given in Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Savings, as appropriate).  Some almanacs and calendars are casual about this time change, and/or give the data in Universal Time (Greenwich Mean Time).

The lunar and solar events given below do not depend on one's location on Earth. Therefore the times given are the moments (in Eastern Time) when they precisely occur. However, sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset do depend on location.  Link to the U.S. Naval Observatory's Astronomical Applications: Data Online page to calculate these at need.

There are thirteen Full Moons in 2001, including two  in November.   The moon's synodic period of revolution around the Earth is approximately 29.5 days.  Because the Full Moon on January 9 swiftly follows the opening of the new year, then the next twelve can  just squeeze in  by December 30.  The traditional names of the Full Moons that are given in this part of the country are based on a combination of Native American and colonial folklore and custom.  It is interesting to note that there is provision in this system for thirteen Full Moons.   

This year there is a New Moon almost exactly on the Summer Solstice, an infrequent coincidence of the two cycles, solar and lunar.  

There are usually two periods a year (called "eclipse seasons") when the alignment of Sun, Earth and Moon allow lunar and solar eclipses.  This year, because the first one is precisely at the year's beginning, there are three eclipse seasons, giving a total of five eclipses, though Maine will only be favored with two.  (See Astronomical Diary below.)

Return to Maine Nature News home page.

revised 06/23/06