This chapter explores various techniques to approximate ``Yosemite moonrises “photograph dates as drawn by Anselm.Yosemite national park forms a background for the formation of moonbows and moonrises. A moonbow is formed as a result of absence of a clear sensitivity at night by the eyes (Olson, 114, 2013).
Moon and half dome are some of the most important photography of Anselm. However, the photograph ``moon and half dome, Yosemite national park” is dated 1960.Howevere, 1960 could not be the precise date an aspect that is linked to Anselm’s claim that his dates are guesses. The “Half dome refers to when the moon is half and moon when it is in its full nature. The photograph below is the famous ``moon and half dome
Olson, 115).
The desire to establish the dated when the photograph above was taken prompted students from ``Texas University” to conduct a research aimed at identifying the correct dates. First, the examined the horizon and direction to indentify when the photography was taken. Additionally, the students incorporated Studies obtained from several guidebooks relating to the park where this photography was taken. The photograph indicated that the moon appears to be rising in the photography but it is thought that the moon t the time of photography had already risen in the sky and it is believed that Adam was facing east when taking this photograph (Olson, 116, 2013).
The presence of rain was further used to rule out another possible date that is 1958.The students found out that 1n 1958 there was rain at the valley thus Adam could not have taken the picture on this particular day and date. Despite the photograph matching the position of the moon at this time, the presence of rain ruled out the probability of it being taken due to the rain.
The presence of shadow on the photograph was analyzed to facilitate the making of a conclusion regarding the precise date .The students found out that for a shadow to be cast as indicated by the picture, the sun position must ``south west”. The students concluded that 28th December in the year 1960 is the actual date that the photograph was captured. The conclusion was linked to the fact that the moon as well as the sun match the ``photograph”.
Further, the weather report obtained indicated that in 1960 on 28th December, there was precipitation. The students applied that information to justify the presence of snow on the photograph thus affirming their decision that the photograph was indeed taken in the year ``1960” and that Adam was referring to the end of 1960(Olson, 124, 2013). Further the presence of Adam in ``Yosemite Valley” on December 25th that year confirms that the photograph was indeed taken on 28th.
A study was conducted to establish whether 1963 is the date when half moon was photographed. However, the research by the students indicated that the size of the moon as indicated by the photograph occurs in spring and winter thus ruling the possibility of the photograph being taken in March or April (Olson, 117, 2013).
Further, sun calculation as it appears on the moon in the photograph was conducted to establish the dates. The study indicated that the branches and granite on the granite extensions were well lit by the sun. The position of the sun lightning helped to rule out the dates presented regarding the photograph. The idea is intertwined to the fact that the granite extension should have been covered in darkness because the sun should be behind the moon when it is`` fully grown” (Olson, 117, 2013).
Additionally, the size of the photo and the materials used when taking the photography helped out in ruling two other dates regarding the date when it was taken by Adam(Ansel,180,1989)..Further the results of the longitude and latitude of the moon as it stands on the picture resulted to a negative sum. The resulting negative sum indicates that the moon photography as taken by Adam is not consistent with the date indicated to be 1960(Olson, 119, 2013).
A study on the line between the dark and the side covered with light on the photograph indicates a presence of mountains and ``rainbows”. The research indicated that since half of the moon is in ``darkness” the half of the ``rainbows” should have been covered in shadow while the mountains should have been in light thus the dates presented regarding this prominent photograph is not correct (Olson, 119,2013).
After disregarding several dates ,a study regarding three probable dates was conducted .The study entailed travelling to Yosemite valley where a telescope and binoculars would be used to classify the position that the photograph was taken. It was established that Adam was standing southeast when taking the picture (Olson, 119, 2013).
The letters dated 1948 written by Adam acted as further proof that he was in Yosemite .However, one of those letters linked astronomy to Adam’s works whereby he stated that o the I 1st day of November ,1948 he witnessed a comet(Ansel,100,1992) .Astronomers such as Meton argued that the eclipse witnessed by Adam usually repeats itself after a 19 years period and in 2005, the students from Texas university advertised the events and many people turned up in Yosemite to witness this rare happening.
The students further conducted a reading on john Muir where he explained that the moon also causes ``rainbows” commonly known as ``moonbows” that take place at night due to a reflection of the ``rain drops” by the light shed by the moon. Aristotle expounds on ``moonbows” by stating that the color of moonbows is white but it not easy to note the color at night. Muir wrote a letter in the year to his friend in the year 1871 to explain that the sight was very spectacular. Muir encouraged people to attend ``Yosemite Valley” to witness such event when it happens (Bade, 120.1924).
Works Cited
Olson, Donald. Celestial Sleuth: Using Astronomy to Solve Mysteries in Art, History
And Literature. New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013.Print.
Ansel, Adams. The Camera. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1989.Print.
Ansel, Adams. Our National Parks. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1992.Print.
William Bade. The e Life and Letters of John Muir, Volume 1. Boston
And New York: Houghton Miff in Company, 1924.Print.
