All tools
Three Views Simulator
Note: Shares SWF assets with Basketball Phases — different starting view.
Three views of the same moment: space, Earth globe, and the sky as you see it.
1. Space (top view)
2. Earth looking out
3. Night sky (HK)
First Quarter from Hong Kong
Before you start
The same Moon, three cameras: space, Earth, and the night sky over Hong Kong.
Key idea
If the three views disagree in your head, one of them is still using ‘Earth’s shadow’ as the explanation.
What you see
- Top-down Sun–Earth–Moon
- Looking out from Earth’s surface
- Horizon sky view
Try this
- Pause at full moon — space view should show Earth between Sun and Moon
- Advance to new moon
Why it matters in Hong Kong
The sky panel uses a Hong Kong horizon; the Moon’s path is still the same physics everywhere.
Common mistakes
- Mixing a lunar eclipse (rare, shadow) with a full moon (monthly, no shadow needed)
Glossary
- Synodic month
- New moon to new moon, about 29.5 days.