Moon, clouds, Sundial app, and getting corrected by ChatGPT

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80D, ISO 80, 2400mm, ƒ5.9, 1/160s.

That’s the first moon I’ve seen in Vancouver in a month — appropriately shown with clouds. It has been a particularly grey and rainy month here, even by Vancouver standards. (Or has it? ¹) Two days ago, somewhere behind the clouds, there was a full supermoon setting at exactly the same time that the sun was rising. On a nice morning, that could have been amazing! And I am well aware of where both sun and moon are at all times now, clouds be damned, thanks to Sundial [Apple App Store], a nifty app that puts an excellent glanceable diagram on my gadgets.

Sundial displays the solar and lunar cycle in a 24-hour ring. The yellow ring shows when the sun is up, and the white ring shows the moon’s hours. It’s an effective diagram (even at tiny sizes on my watch), and the app has very detailed data (and notifications) of all kinds. For instance, I now get notifications for moon rise, set, and the midpoint: moon noon!

But keeping tabs on the moon only helps so much. I am starting to appreciate just how much luck is involved in getting good photos, the sheer number of things that have to come together. Since trying to get my own good moon shots, I have learned much greater respect for photos like this than I had historically.

Also, it’s shockingly easy to forget how to use my new camera! I had a brief chance at the moon a couple nights ago, too brief for results, but I did discover that about half of what I’d learned was just … gone. I haven’t done it enough for muscle memory!