In the early days of researching various mechanical and factual aspects of the series, the matter of what precise days and weeks to use was examined. The phases of the moon were of particular importance, since a full moon was needed in the second week. This moved the story back to 1962. The error came in overlooking the fact that the prologue needed to be set back yet another year.
Oops: the Prologue [Germination] was assigned 1962 and the main story was assigned 1963, after the book was written. The action and the descriptions in the final version follow the actual star chart data for the days of the week in June 1962—but the day numbers belong to 1963.
The mistake wasn’t caught until the fourth book was being revised. A second oversight was caught as well: the rising times for the moon. This became problematic in the last three days.
It makes little sense to reissue all the books just to correct this factual blunder. Instead, this mea culpa is extended. In the event that new editions are offered, the correct dates will be put in place.
The chart below shows the actual moon phases and other astronomical data for the two-week period, for both years. The story fits the moon phases in the 1962 chart; the first editions, however, use the calendar days assigned to 1963.
Absolute precision is elusive, since the precise geographic location of the story is fictional. These variables are of no importance to the story, in any case.
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June 1962 |
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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First Qtr |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
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Full Moon |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
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June 1963 |
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Last Qtr |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
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Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:21am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
New Moon |
Sunrise: 6:22am |
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