D101 Phase Modulation- vs Solar and Lunar Azimuth Angle

The image above represents 30 days of phase data from device D101 (z axis), mapped against the moon azimuth angle (x-axis) and the sun azimuth angle (y-axis).

Recall that azimuth angles are measure differently than RA/Dec angles. Azimuth angles are equivalent to the angles on a compass. 0=north, 90=east, 180=south, 270=west, 360=north. The azimuth angles are measured locally from the point of the D101 device.

It took me a long time to conceptualize what could be causing the modulation patterns in my data stream (couple of years), and then convert it into graphic representations.

Interestingly, the image above demonstrates good symmetry about the common moon/sun intersecting angle (line diagonally through center of blue valley. This means D101 time phase runs slowest when the sun and moon both lie on the same azimuth angle, regardless of whether it is daytime or night.

Remember, local noon would be when the sun is at 180 degrees azimuth, while midnight is when the sun is at 360 or 0 degrees azimuth.

This particular image demonstrates nice symmetry because the moon and sun motions were approximately symmetrical forward and backward from a midpoint day in the data. At other times of the year, or if the dataset is started at a different day, the data is not necessarily symmetrical.

The image brings clarity to the many complex patterns that I have detected within the raw timeseries data. Displayed as a timeseries plot, the data demonstrates many mirror symmetries, as well as patterns which repeat over multiple days, hours and months. Displaying the data as a 3D plot as in the image above, it becomes clear that the mirror symmetries coincide with the transition of the earth/sun/moon angular alignment. The signals detected as they are moving into alignment are mirror opposite with the signals detected as they continue past alignment.

As this data is collected a fixed location on earth, the progression of earth and moon orbital mechanics provide for some complex angular dynamics that follow specific and repeatable patterns, with known periods. Some of the patterns are daily, while others are seasonal or have very long periods.