This high-resolution 4K presentation illustrates the changing phases and slight wobble (libration) of the Moon, captured hourly throughout the year 2022.
The perspective is that of an observer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Every frame in the visualization corresponds to a single hour of time.
Moreover, this animation depicts the Moon's orbital placement, the points on its surface directly facing Earth and the Sun (sub-Earth and subsolar points), and its accurate distance from Earth, all portrayed in true proportions.
Notably, craters located near the dividing line between the illuminated and dark portions (terminator) are identified.
Likewise, significant landmarks such as the Apollo landing sites, lunar maria (dark flat areas), and other light-reflecting features are labeled when they are illuminated by sunlight.
