Lunar Analemma

Ann Eleece Kouns
2 min readNov 21, 2023

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The analemma is an enchanting natural observation which can visually demonstrate the elliptical revolution of earth around the sun over the course of a year. Visually documenting our beautiful journey around the sun not only gives us concrete data concerning our movement in space, but also produces amazingly artful images.

If a photographer sets up their camera on a monthly basis in the same location at the exact same time, they would capture a series of images which result in a beautiful figure 8-style pattern:

(solar) analemma — astrosurf

As beautiful as the analemma is, check out the lunar analemma. I’ve always been partial to the moon, aesthetically as well as spiritually and philosophically. A lunar analemma is complete in one lunar month as opposed to the analemma which takes a full year to chart the movement of earth in relation to the sun.

Lunar Analemma above the peaks of the cridola group in Italy — Giorgia Hofer (2018)

Sometimes, I suppose instant gratification isn’t a bad thing…

Lunar Analemma in Cairo, Egypt: Wael Omar (2023)

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Ann Eleece Kouns

Join me as I explore curiosity, personal growth, and mind-expanding considerations through the lens of art, literature, and cultural-philosophical analysis.