Physics/Lunar Calendar question about the MOON!

[LongCoolMother]

we have an extra credit problem in our AP Physics class ongoing for a week already now. well, our physics teacher asked us (since its getting close the chinese new years) how we can tell when the new year begins (according to the chinese lunar calendar) just by looking at the moon.

none of us can figure it out.

he said it should be very simple. without any equipment at all, nothing fancy, just straight forward. yes, i looked up and googled how its the second new moon after the solstice etc. etc. but our teacher said it should be VERY obvious and we wont have to fiddle around with all that stuff. he said it should simply be...look at the moon, and know if its the new year.

strangely enough none of us AP students have found the solution yet and its been a week. the competition (its a race) ends on chinese new years and i cant believe we cant figure it out. do any of you guys know?

 

[LongCoolMother]

 

[Zanix]

does the moon shift during the year? I mean will it go closer to the horizon and then back to "high noon"? I'm no astronomer.

 

[Wallydraigle]

Sounds like a trick. Do you have the question exactly as worded?

 

[LongCoolMother]

nope. i guess its pretty vague. he said as long as you know what to look for, you can tell if its the new year. he said there arent any calculations or complicated methods involved. if you know what to look for, you'll know. it has something to do with the moon. (obvious, since its the lunar calendar).

ill post it after he tells us. its probably some lame prank. >=(

 

[Wallydraigle]

I think I might have just figured it out, but I don't know if I want to spoil it for you or not


It might not be what he's looking for though.

 

[Tom]

it comes up the other way.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Wallydraigle
I think I might have just figured it out, but I don't know if I want to spoil it for you or not


It might not be what he's looking for though.

Should we tell him or give him a hint?

 

[Evadman]

If you look up at the moon, and it is somewhat obscured by firey explosions of color, and you are in the northern hemisphere, and it is cold outside, it is the new year.

 

[LongCoolMother]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Wallydraigle
I think I might have just figured it out, but I don't know if I want to spoil it for you or not


It might not be what he's looking for though.

Should we tell him or give him a hint?

oooo cmon!! this thing is bugging me now!

 

[91TTZ]

Moon Cakes???

 

[91TTZ]

So what was the answer to this problem?