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Ephemeris: 06/06/2024 – 80 years ago, D-Day’s astronomical connection
This is Ephemeris for Thursday, June 6th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 27 minutes, setting at 9:25, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon is new today, and won’t be visible.
Today is the 80th anniversary of the greatest battle of World War II was the Allied invasion of Mainland Europe at Normandy on D-Day, a date governed by the phase of the Moon. The full moon on June the 6th, 1944 gave light for the gliders and paratroopers to carry out their operations at midnight. Plus the high tides were near noon and midnight and the low tides near dawn. The idea was to hit the beach at low tide to enable the landing craft to operate without hitting the obstacles the Germans had planted in the tidal zone. It was great for the landing craft, but the troops had a lot of open beach to run through to get to any sort of shelter. The best days for the invasion were the 5th, 6th and 7th of June. Bad weather on the 5th caused a one day postponement.
The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT–4 hours). They may be different for your location.
Addendum
06/06/2019 – Ephemeris – The 75th anniversary of D-Day, the astronomical connection
Ephemeris for Thursday, June 6th. Today the Sun will be up for 15 hours and 26 minutes, setting at 9:25, and it will rise tomorrow at 5:57. The Moon, 3 days past new, will set at 12:40 tomorrow morning.
Today is the 75th anniversary of the greatest battle of World War II was the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, a date governed by the position of the Moon. The full moon on June the 6th, 1944 gave light for the gliders and paratroopers to carry out their operations at midnight. Plus the high tides were near noon and midnight and the low tides near dawn. The idea was to hit the beach at low tide to enable the landing craft to operate without hitting the obstacles the Germans planted in the tidal zone. It was great for the landing craft, but the troops had a lot of open beach to cover to get to some sort of shelter. The best days for the invasion were the 5th, 6th and 7th of June. Bad weather on the 5th caused a one day postponement.
The times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
11/11/2013 – Ephemeris – D-Day and the moon
Ephemeris for Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 11th. The sun will rise at 7:34. It’ll be up for 9 hours and 44 minutes, setting at 5:18. The moon, 1 day past first quarter, will set at 2:12 tomorrow morning.
Veterans’ day used to be called Armistice Day, celebrating the end of War to End All Wars. There was, of course a great war after that, and its greatest battle was the invasion on D-Day, a date governed by the position of the Moon. The full moon on June the 6th, 1944 gave light for the gliders and paratroopers light to carry out their operations at midnight. Plus the high tides were near noon and midnight and the low tides near dawn. The idea was to hit the beach at low tide to enable the landing craft to operate without hitting the obstacles the Germans planted in the tidal zone. It was great for the landing craft, but the troops had a lot of open beach to cover to get to some sort of shelter.
Times are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan. They may be different for your location.
Bob Moler's Ephemeris Blog 