The Phases of the Moon Explained

One of the questions most often asked to astronomers is: What are moon phases? Most people know that the Moon appears to change shape over time. Does it look round and full? Or more like a banana or a lopsided ball? Is it up in the daytime or the nighttime? Throughout each month, the Moon appears to change shape while it appears in the sky at different times, including in broad daylight! Anyone can observe these changes as they happen. The Moons ever-changing shapes are called lunar phases. Gradual Change Anyone Can Measure From the Back Yard A lunar phase is simply the shape of the sunlit part of the Moon, as seen from Earth.  Phases are so strikingly obvious that we almost take them for granted. Moreover, they can be observed easily throughout the month from the backyard or via a simple glance out the window. The Moons shape changes for the following reasons: The Moon orbits Earth.Both Earth and the Moon orbit the Sun.The Moons orbit is the same length as the time it spins on its axis (about 28 Earth days), which means that we see the same part of the lunar surface all month.The Sun illuminates both Earth and the Moon. Get to Know the Lunar Phases There are eight phases of the Moon to track each month. New Moon:  During New Moon, the side of the Moon facing us is not illuminated by the Sun. At this time, the Moon is not up at night, but it is up during the day. We just cant see it.  Solar eclipses can occur during the New Moon, depending on how the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up in their orbits. Waxing Crescent: As the Moon waxes (grows) into its crescent phase, it begins to show up low in the sky right after sunset. Look for a silvery-looking crescent. The side facing the sunset direction will be lit up. First Quarter:  Seven days after New Moon, the Moon is in first quarter. Only half of it is visible for the first half of the evening, and then it sets.   Waxing Gibbous:  After First Quarter, the Moon appears to grow into a gibbous shape. Most of it is visible, except for a dark sliver that shrinks over the next seven nights.  Look for the Moon at this time during the afternoon, too.   Full Moon:  During the Full Moon, the Sun lights up the entire surface of the Moon that faces Earth. It rises just as the Sun sets and disappears beneath the western horizon when the Sun rises the next morning. This is the brightest phase of the Moon and it washes out the nearby part of the sky, making it difficult to see stars and faint objects such as nebulae.   Ever hear of a Super Moon? Thats a Full Moon that happens when the Moon is closest in its orbit to Earth. The press likes to make a big deal about this, but its really a very natural thing: On occasion, the Moons orbit brings it closer to Earth. Not every month has a Super Moon. Despite the hype about Super Moons in the media, its difficult for the average observer to notice one, because the Moon might appear only slightly larger in the sky than normal. In fact, the well-known astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out that the difference between a regular Full Moon and a Super Moon is analogous to the difference between a 16-inch pizza and a 16.1-inch pizza.   Lunar eclipses occur only at Full Moons because the Moon is passing directly between Earth and the Sun in its orbit. Due to other perturbations in its orbit, not every Full Moon results in an eclipse.   The other Full Moon variation that often grabs media attention is  a Blue Moon. Thats the name given to the second Full Moon that occurs in the same month. These dont happen all the time, and the Moon certainly doesnt appear blue. Full Moons also have colloquial names based on folklore. Its worth reading about some of these names; they tell fascinating stories about early cultures. Waning Gibbous: After the glorious appearance of Full Moon, the lunar shape starts to wane, meaning it gets smaller. Its visible later at night and into the early morning, and we see a steadily shrinking shape of the lunar surface thats being lit up. The side that is lit up is facing toward the Sun, in this case, the sunrise direction. During this phase, look for the Moon during the day—it should be in the sky in the morning.   Last Quarter: At Last Quarter, we see exactly half the sunlit surface of the Moon. It can be seen in the early morning and daytime sky.   Waning Crescent:  The last phase of the Moon before returning to New Moon is called Waning Crescent, and it is exactly what it says: a steadily-shrinking crescent phase. We can see only a small sliver from Earth.  Its visible in the early morning, and by the end of the 28-day lunar cycle, it has vanished almost entirely. That brings us back to  New Moon to start the new cycle. Making Lunar Phases at Home Creating lunar phases is a great classroom or home science activity. First, set up a light in the middle of a darkened room. One person holds a white ball and stands a short distance from the light. He or she turns in a circle, just like the Moon does as it turns on its axis. The ball is illuminated by the light in ways that almost exactly match lunar phases.  Ã‚   Observing the Moon over the course of a month is a great school project, as well as something anyone can do on their own or with family and friends. Check it out this month!

The Legacy Of The Vietnam War Essay - 1246 Words

Robert S. McNamara served as the Secretary of Defense from 1961 to 1968 under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. While historians place considerable focus on his role in the Vietnam War, McNamara also helped shape the U.S.’s greater Cold War strategy. A large component of this included the relatively new field of nuclear politics. He understood the significance of nuclear weapons as a strategic tool for bargaining. Through clear messaging, the weapons could create gains while never actually being fired. However, he also proposed that nuclear war could be limited, and not inevitably lead to global extinction. His contemporaries often dismissed this view, and indeed it remains controversial. After 1968, the former Secretary continued to advise nuclear policy through published papers, adding considerable fodder for our discussion of his positions on the topic. In Arms and Influence Thomas Schelling spends significant passages describing McNamara’s concept of limited nuclear war. He quotes a speech from 1961 in which McNamara insists, â€Å"principle military objectives†¦should be the destruction of the enemy’s military forces, not of his civilian population.† With traditional weapons, the enemy army generally has to fight its way through the defending army before accessing civilians. Nuclear missiles eliminate this intermediate step, allowing a hostile body to quickly destroy a great amount of civilian life without engaging the other army. McNamara advocated a kind of limited war thatShow MoreRelatedThe Legacy of the Vietnam War2297 Words   |  10 PagesThe Legacy of the Vietnam War The Legacy of the Vietnam War University of Phoenix The Legacy of the Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1965-1975) was fought between the North and South Vietnam. The North was called Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the South was the Republic of Vietnam which was supported by the United States. The Vietnam War brought so many mixed emotions, fear from communism, and many lost lives. 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Joyce Corporation Ltd. Financial Summary Analysis - MyAssignmentHelp

Question: Discuss about the Financial Analysis for Joyce Corporation Ltd. Answer: Introducton: The main area of its business for Joyce Corporation is about Auctioneers and Valuers, home furnishings and kitchen ware. The company is listed at ASX having its head office at Perth, Western Australia. The companys 4 units are Lloyds-Auctioneers and Valuers, WallspanKitchens Wardrobes, Kitchen Connectionkitchen Wardrobes and Bedshedall about bedroom furnishings. It is listed in the Australian Securities Exchange or ASX. It also started property business but it makes divestment in this business. It started foam and furniture manufacturing business. The company was established in 1886 and is based in Osborne Park, Australia (Joycecorp, 2016). There are in total 44 store locations with 209 staff members and 4 business units. Company is I the business of Bedshed Franchising Company Stores (Bedshed). The Companys different portfolios include Stores owned by the company, retail kitchen stores operation and franchising. The stores owned by the company are mostly in absolute retail business in retail and kitchen sector or industry. KWB Group Pty Ltd (KWB) is in operation of customised designing of kitchens and wardrobes. The furniture retailing business stores is very specialist type of furniture type like bedding and bedroom products which are in good demand in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, Western Australia (Joycecorp, 2016). Profitability: The company is 130 years old and is having its headquarters at Perth, Western Australia. It mostly serves the Australian market. The business of the company has grown many folds in last two years. The sales have increased significantly in 2015 compared to 2014 figures. The company plans to consolidate all its warehouse locations to a centrally located area either in Perth or at a place where its location will help in logistics to become economical. Bedshed stores are all located in Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. The leasing business of commercial property started with leasing at New South Wales. The company also started retailing in bed linens, kid beds, beds, mattresses, wardrobes and kitchens customized (Drake, Pamela Peterson, 2015). RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC RETURN ON ASSETS 11.40% 4.29% PAT 5221 1570 ASSETS 45814 36618 RETURN ON EQUITY 19.74% 6.91% NET INCOME 5221 1570 EQUITY 26450 22730 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN 50% 7% GP 17259 854 SALES 34737 12657 NET PROFIT MARGIN 15% 12% PAT 5221 1570 SALES 34737 12657 The net profit from continuing operations for the year 2014 is $ 1,570,000 which is approximate about 1.5 times the profit of the year 2013 which was $ 668,000. While the profit for the year 2015 grew from $ 1,570,000 of the year 2014 to $ 5,221,000 which is approximately 3.325 times. This phenomenal jump is a very positive sign that the companys operations are moving in the right, targeted, desired growth path and this is evident from the jump of a profit from $ 668,000 for the years 2013 to $ 5,221,000 for the year 2015. That means a growth by almost eight times within a time period of 2 years. The bottom line has increase significantly compared to top line of the company. The bottom line has improved but significant improvement can be seen in the top line. The indication is proper growth in revenue and of the margin of the company (Edmister, 1972). Asset Efficiency: Total current assets have grown from $ 5,464 in the year 2014 to $ 32,866 in the year 2015 making the growth by 6 times. This means that the business is growing very fast and if the trend is kept ongoing then it will be a great competitor to face. RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC DAYS INVENTORY TURNOVER 44.8262 180.943 AVERAGE INVENTORY X 365 783472.5 742410 COGS 17478 4103 ASSETS TURNOVER 0.8428 0.34188 TOTAL SALES 34737 12657 AVERAGE ASSETS 41216 37022 DAYS DEBTOR TURNOVER 5.21699 20.4604 AVERAGE DEBTORS X 365 181222.5 258967.5 SALES REVENUE 34737 12657 The turnover days of inventory has improved dramatically. In 2015 days inventory turnover is of 45 days improved from 181 days. This indicates the fact that rollover of inventory has improved. Higher rollover or the turnover is favourable to boost sales. The better sales figure reflects to the bottom line of the company. The asset turnover figure indicates the efficiency of the management to use the assets to the fullest to boost sales. The sales have improved dramatically in 2015 and the asset turnover has also improved to 0.84. This indicates better asset management. The improvement of the debtors turnover days indicate that the company is managing receivables properly and ensuring that the cash is collected from the receivable in proper time (Myaccountingcourse, 2016). Liquidity: The cash position for the years 2014 was $ 816 which grew to a very high level of $ 5,962 in the year 2015. That means the cash in hand have grown by almost 7.3 times within a years time. This shows that the operations are better than a year ago. The main area of concern here is that the expenses on the payments made to the employers and suppliers have also grown by 2.13 times from the year 2014 in the year 2015. If this can be controlled it would be better. RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC CURRENT RATIO 2.45708732 1.37736325 CA 32866 5464 CL 13376 3967 QUICK RATIO 2.29373505 1.27249811 CA-INVENTORY 30681 5048 CL 13376 3967 Despite lower inventory and lesser collection days the current asset of the company increased in 2015 and the improvement is significant. The asset quality has also improved. The quality of current assets has improved compared to current liability. This indicates proper financial condition of the company (www.inc.com, 2016). Capital Structure: This consists of contributed equity, Reserves, Non-controlling interests, Retained earnings/ (Accumulated losses). The amount for Capital structure of Equity for the year 2014 was $ 22,730 which grew to $ 26,450 in the year 2015. That means a very nominal growth by 1.16 times but this increase is quite substantial as the amount included retained earnings for $ 5,314 for the year 2015 which grew from $ (-482) in the year 2014, that means a growth by 11 times in the year 2015 from 2014. RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC DEBT EQUITY 0.7321 0.611 TOTAL LIABILITY 19364 13888 TOTAL EQUITY 26450 22730 GEARING RATIO 0.4227 0.379 TOTAL LIABILITY 19364 13888 TOTAL ASSETS 45814 36618 EQUITY RATIO 0.5773 0.621 TOTAL EQUITY 26450 22730 TOTAL ASSET 45814 36618 The liability has increased compared to equity on the other hand the liability has also increased compared to assets. This indicates that the company has leveraged it position to invest in assets. The assets added in 2015 are funded out of debt not out of the equity. The acceptable level of leverage is better for every company (www.investopedia.com, 2016). Interest serving ratio: RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC INTEREST COVERAGE 4.4656 2.809 EBIT 1170 958 INTEREST 262 341 The increase in bottom line and the EBIT figure is indicating better interest coverage position for the company in 2015. The net profit is at the comfortable level despite increased leverage position of the company in 2015. Cash Flow: Three main sections of companys net cash flow areas Receipts from customers. Cash acquired from business combination, net of considered cash. Proceeds from sale of assets. Section showing strongest net cash flow Receipts from customers. The reason for its strong net cash flow from investing activitiesdue to two factors the cash flow from this sector is strong because of sale proceeds from asset sales and from business combination cash gain after netting off consideration. Despite payment of the borrowed amount in 2015, the company has managed to hold on to $5962000 in 2015. This indicates better financial condition and the cash position of the company (www.inc.com, 2016). Market Performance: The company is in competition with a few companys who are in the similar business in the Australian region. The main competitors are Adairs Limited: this company is one of the main competitors of Joyce Corporation Ltd. It has five types of store formats like Adairs, Adairs Homemaker, Adairs Outlets, Urban Home Republic (UHR) and Adiars. This company is in retail business of home furnishings and home wares. Kingform Health Home textile Group Limited: this is a holding company dealing with home textiles like quilt, memory pillow, microfiber quilt bedding sets, fabric microfiber filling polyester cotton, embroidery pillow, silk jacquard bedding sets. RATIO ANALYSIS 2015 2014 JC JC JC JC P/E RATIO 9.5062 0.895 MARKET PRICE 1.54 0.51 EPS 0.162 0.57 Companys share prices as on 30th June, 2015$ 1.08 per share. Companys share prices is as on 30th June, 2014--$ 0.51 per share. The share price has jumped by almost 2.11 times per share within a span of 1 year from $ 0.51 in 2014 to $ 1.08 in 2015. Due to better financial performance the market price has doubled with in the span of one year. The P/E has also improved along with better performance of the company (Google, 2016). References: Drake, Pamela Peterson, 2015. Financial ratio Analysis. [Online] Available at: https://educ.jmu.edu/~drakepp/principles/module2/fin_rat.pdf [Accessed 19 September 2016]. Edmister, R.O., 1972. An Empirical Test of Financial Ratio Analysis for Small Business Failure Prediction. [Online] Available at: https://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=onlineaid=6318448fileId=S0022109000017567 [Accessed 13 September 2016]. Google, 2016. Joyce Corporation Ltd. [Online] www.google.com Available at: https://www.google.com/finance?cid=680892 [Accessed 19 September 2016]. Joycecorp, 2016. ABOUT. [Online] joycecorp.com.au Available at: https://joycecorp.com.au/ [Accessed 18 September 2016]. Joycecorp, 2016. Corporate History. [Online] joycecorp.com.au Available at: https://joycecorp.com.au/index.php/corporate-history/ [Accessed 16 September 2016]. Myaccountingcourse, 2016. Financial Ratio Analysis. [Online] Available at: https://www.myaccountingcourse.com/financial-ratios/ [Accessed 19 September 2016]. Nigudkar, A., 2016. How to Analyze Financial Health of a Company in 6 Easy Steps. [Online] www.financewalk.com Available at: https://www.financewalk.com/financial-health-company-analysis/ [Accessed 13 September 2016]. www.inc.com, 2016. Cash Management. [Online] Available at: https://www.inc.com/guides/finance/cashmanagement.html [Accessed 18 June 2016]. www.investopedia.com, 2016. Ratio Analysis. [Online] Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/ratioanalysis.asp [Accessed 15 Augustus 2016].