by Jason Prochaska
In May 2006 American astronomer and veteran crescent hunter Stephen Saber became first to note a striking visual similarity between certain very thin lunar crescents and solar eclipse contacts. What made this particular crescent stand out to him was a rare combination of the limb's staggered profile also appearing far enough away from the sun to be captured in a dark sky (well into nautical twilight) before moonset. Too old, and the crescent appears as a continuous arc. Too young, and the crescent cannot reach sufficient elongation from our sun to be observed in a dark sky. With the necessary illumination this creates a nominal window of 18-28 hours before or after New Moon to observe, photograph, or image the phenomenon. As the crescent thickens, the beads become larger with fewer gaps inbetween.
In May 2006 American astronomer and veteran crescent hunter Stephen Saber became first to note a striking visual similarity between certain very thin lunar crescents and solar eclipse contacts. What made this particular crescent stand out to him was a rare combination of the limb's staggered profile also appearing far enough away from the sun to be captured in a dark sky (well into nautical twilight) before moonset. Too old, and the crescent appears as a continuous arc. Too young, and the crescent cannot reach sufficient elongation from our sun to be observed in a dark sky. With the necessary illumination this creates a nominal window of 18-28 hours before or after New Moon to observe, photograph, or image the phenomenon. As the crescent thickens, the beads become larger with fewer gaps inbetween.
Along with short exposures, an equally important element to capturing Saber's beads is intent. One must go after the effect with the mindset of producing the eclipse contact resemblance, or, during a total eclipse, capturing the infant crescent similarity. Adding spikes to the staggered brightness peaks also enhances the aesthetics. Finally, following these remarkably thin lunar crescents into low-altitude turbulence near the horizon creates a powerful dynamic to the 'string-of-pearls' mirrored lunar aspects.
More common and easier to detect are Saber's inherited and upgraded precursor beads seen at the horns of older waxing and waning crescents which can be observed to appear then combine with (or detach then fade from) the contiguous crescent rim over hours or even minutes of viewing.
Slowly defocusing these tip beads produces the smokey, overlapping links of Saber's chain. As Stephen mentions, "the more beads, the better- like Mardi Gras...". Indeed, my own impressions have been that of a cosmic thought bubble.
While the viral properties of the internet have since expanded Sabers beads into the world of literature, music, and the transcendental (representing open-mindedness and increased perspective i.e., experiencing a Saber's beads moment), the visual dusk and dawn apparitions remain a beautiful celestial sight not to be missed.
Outreach Gone Wild: Listen to Saber's Beads at YouTube
FMI: www.saberdoesthestars.wordpress.com
Also see New Moon: Extreme Crescent Visibility
Saber’s Beads In Non-Astronomy Fiction
[excerpt from Cailyn Vature's 'Raven' (2010)]
It was cold outside and I could see my breath rising into the air.
The stars were out in force shining their bright kaleidoscope; they
seemed brighter than usual because the moon was just a sliver
crescent in the night sky. I gazed up at them just as I had countless
times before.
Many a time I had come out with a blanket just like I had tonight
and gazed up at them, and thought `what a lonely world we must
be…’ but tonight it was different and they shined for me and I sat
admiring their beauty.
“They really are something aren’t they?”
I looked to my right and gazed at Jay who was leaning against my
rock with me. His eyes dazzled with the sparkles of a million stars
behind them making them shimmer in the darkness. My arms were
wrapped around him keeping them warm against the cool night air.
“I always come out and watch the stars” I answered.
“They are something” Jay said giving out a sigh of contentment.
“They’re so bright tonight” I commented.
“You see the moon?” Jay asked
“Yeah it’s just a tiny crescent” I said
“You know what’s that’s called?” he asked, turning his head to face me
and giving a soft smile.
“A crescent moon?” I asked
“The moon is just moments away from becoming a new moon which
it will be for only a few moments until it is a crescent again- that
crescent where the moon is nothing but a broken line. Those beads
of broken light, they are called Saber’s beads.”
“I didn’t know that” I said looking up at the moon.
“There is a very old story that talks about the Saber’s beads” Jay said
giving me a smile, and I nodded for him to continue.
“A long time ago man lived peacefully, there was no hate, no lies,
and it was a time when everyone was a brother. Then one day a
great king from a distant land came and said `I am greatest of thee,
all that ye own shall belong to me.’ The great king took land, food,
and even the lives of his people, and soon death flowed so greatly
that heaven itself burst open.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“God himself came and struck down the king casting him forever
from the land but peace has never returned and heaven will forever
be too full. So the legends say on the night of the new moon with the
last fading light souls trapped on earth may go to heaven, and souls in
heaven wanting to return to earth may come back with the first light
after the new moon”.
As if God had heard the story I watched with amazement as the light
from the moon faded to total darkness and then the first lights from
the waxing moon appeared.
“They have returned” Jay said watching the light.
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as if the story had real meaning
and it touched me deep inside.
*****
[reprinted with permission/j.prochaska/starwind.net2012]
tags: saber's beads, moon, crescent, astronomy, photography, music
More common and easier to detect are Saber's inherited and upgraded precursor beads seen at the horns of older waxing and waning crescents which can be observed to appear then combine with (or detach then fade from) the contiguous crescent rim over hours or even minutes of viewing.
Slowly defocusing these tip beads produces the smokey, overlapping links of Saber's chain. As Stephen mentions, "the more beads, the better- like Mardi Gras...". Indeed, my own impressions have been that of a cosmic thought bubble.
While the viral properties of the internet have since expanded Sabers beads into the world of literature, music, and the transcendental (representing open-mindedness and increased perspective i.e., experiencing a Saber's beads moment), the visual dusk and dawn apparitions remain a beautiful celestial sight not to be missed.
Outreach Gone Wild: Listen to Saber's Beads at YouTube
FMI: www.saberdoesthestars.wordpress.com
Also see New Moon: Extreme Crescent Visibility
Saber’s Beads In Non-Astronomy Fiction
[excerpt from Cailyn Vature's 'Raven' (2010)]
It was cold outside and I could see my breath rising into the air.
The stars were out in force shining their bright kaleidoscope; they
seemed brighter than usual because the moon was just a sliver
crescent in the night sky. I gazed up at them just as I had countless
times before.
Many a time I had come out with a blanket just like I had tonight
and gazed up at them, and thought `what a lonely world we must
be…’ but tonight it was different and they shined for me and I sat
admiring their beauty.
“They really are something aren’t they?”
I looked to my right and gazed at Jay who was leaning against my
rock with me. His eyes dazzled with the sparkles of a million stars
behind them making them shimmer in the darkness. My arms were
wrapped around him keeping them warm against the cool night air.
“I always come out and watch the stars” I answered.
“They are something” Jay said giving out a sigh of contentment.
“They’re so bright tonight” I commented.
“You see the moon?” Jay asked
“Yeah it’s just a tiny crescent” I said
“You know what’s that’s called?” he asked, turning his head to face me
and giving a soft smile.
“A crescent moon?” I asked
“The moon is just moments away from becoming a new moon which
it will be for only a few moments until it is a crescent again- that
crescent where the moon is nothing but a broken line. Those beads
of broken light, they are called Saber’s beads.”
“I didn’t know that” I said looking up at the moon.
“There is a very old story that talks about the Saber’s beads” Jay said
giving me a smile, and I nodded for him to continue.
“A long time ago man lived peacefully, there was no hate, no lies,
and it was a time when everyone was a brother. Then one day a
great king from a distant land came and said `I am greatest of thee,
all that ye own shall belong to me.’ The great king took land, food,
and even the lives of his people, and soon death flowed so greatly
that heaven itself burst open.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“God himself came and struck down the king casting him forever
from the land but peace has never returned and heaven will forever
be too full. So the legends say on the night of the new moon with the
last fading light souls trapped on earth may go to heaven, and souls in
heaven wanting to return to earth may come back with the first light
after the new moon”.
As if God had heard the story I watched with amazement as the light
from the moon faded to total darkness and then the first lights from
the waxing moon appeared.
“They have returned” Jay said watching the light.
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as if the story had real meaning
and it touched me deep inside.
*****
[reprinted with permission/j.prochaska/starwind.net2012]
tags: saber's beads, moon, crescent, astronomy, photography, music
