ASI W9900780r1.0
#8 September 1987
Section 6.9.3.2.008.of the Artemis Data Book
To be sure, there will be settlers on the Moon with "Tory" hearts, i.e.
unwilling to give up the ways of Old Earth, however inappropriate to the new
world. Earth's calendar is one such piece of baggage best left at home. On
Earth, counting time by "moons" may be convenient for nomads and rustic
hunter-gatherers, but the overriding temporal fact of life since the dawn of
the agricultural age remains the length of the year: the four seasons. But
on the Moon, however, the four seasons do not apply -- except for
astronomers -- and the overarching pacer of life will the the sunth ( see M is for
Month, MMM #7 ). Since the slow rhythm of sunrise and sunset cannot be ignored on
the Moon, the calendar should be organized around it, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Because of Earth's proximity and the high density and intensity of
Earth-Moon communications and commerce ( as compared, for example, to Earth-Mars
intercourse ), it will be convenient to keep the standard 24 hour day --
probably called "date" on the Moon to avoid confusion with the longer sunth.
A simple calendar of alternating 29 and 30 date sunths will do the trick,
especially if every fortieth date ( or on the closest weekend thereto ) an
extra hour is added ( as we do in the fall switching from daylight-savings
to standard time ) to make the sunth average 29.5 dates exactly. Then a two
page calendar would always be valid even as to the times of local sunrise
and sunset to within the hour, per location.
This system would be enhanced greatly if the sunth were four weeks exactly,
which would require adding an eighth day three weeks out of eight. Such an
extra day would be a logical choice for religious feasts and holy days and
for secular holidays alike. Since the extra day would not be a working day
but an off day providing three long weekends out of every eight, it should
be a popular feature and add cultural color to life on the Moon. This way
sunrise and sunset would occur, for a particular place, not only on the same
dates of the sunth but also on the same days of the week which will be
important for business and industry ( see article: POWERCO in this issue )
Since, obviously, such lunar weeks and weekdays would not line up or keep
cadence with those of Earth ( no need to ), new names are in order. The
reader may have some suggestions. Let me offer three possibilities:
For fiscal convenience, the calendar should have twelve sunths invariably --
like the Islamic model rather than the Jewish one ( which sometimes has
thirteen ). This short "year" or ennium of the 354 dates would slip seven
sunths out of alignment with Earth's calendar after nineteen years ( see M
is for Metonic Period in MMM #7. ) So every nineteenth year an extra seven
sunth period could be added, to be called the renaissance and devoted to
constitutional and institutional renewal, reform, and rededication, thus
bringing the Moon's calendar back into step with Earth's and providing a
predictably popular generational rhythm as a fringe benefit lunar
civilization could be proud of.
There are alternatives of course, but why compromise with those
inappropriately attached to terrestrial customs. It's a brand new world and
why not start fresh with new traditions? "Tories" can always import Earth
calendars and keep them under their pillows.
[This issue will be revisited.]
Contents of this issue of Moon Miners' Manifesto
|