Lunar Phases
Moon Phases Lab
5/25/2011
Kyle C.
Guiding Question: What are the phases of the moon? Why do they occur?
Hypothesis: The changing shape of the illuminated moon (Is the phase)
Skills: For this activity we will use the simulation below as well as the flashlight and Moon model in class to find out the answer to this question.
Procedure: For the model, place the flashlight about one meter from Earth. Place the moon between Earth and the sun. Observe the moon as if you were standing on Earth. Sketch the appearance of the moon in your notebook from four point positions. Move the moon 1/4 of the way around Earth in a counterclockwise direction. Sketch your observations. Do the same with the moon 1/2 of the way around and 3/4 of the way around Earth. Place the moon again between Earth and the sun. Observe Earth and the moon from "space" (a position directly above Earth). Record your observations of the moon. Move the moon 1/4 of the way around Earth in a counterclockwise direction. Record your observations of the moon around the Earth. Do the same for 1/2 of the way around Earth and 3/4 of the way around Earth.
Reflect about the various ways we explored the phases of the moon to help us to understand how they occur.
Jan and I used the simulator to understand more about the concept and the movement of the moon. We discovered the importance of the moon’s action towards us. Later we focused on making a graph and a moon clock to tell how the moon is moving.
Jan and I used the simulator to understand more about the concept and the movement of the moon. We discovered the importance of the moon’s action towards us. Later we focused on making a graph and a moon clock to tell how the moon is moving.
Questions:
When investigating the simulation, the moon clock, and/or the model, what did you notice about the phases of the moon?
When I was investigating about the graph representing the movement of the different types of moon, I discovered that there was some sort of a pattern (Perhaps 3 hour interval)
Why do we see different parts of the moon each night?
The moon rotates around the earth. It takes 29 days for the moon to complete its rotation. While the moon is moving, some sides are illuminated and some sides are not, causing changes in the shapes of the moon.
How well did making a model help you understand the phases of the moon?
I thought that the model gave a clear information about the phases and the movement of the moon. (21st century euro science speaks that visual effects provide you more knowledge). However I was kind of confused because I didn’t knew this model would be accurate.
Scientists are thinking all the time about how they can make models of objects that are too small or too large to see: Can you think of another way to make a model to represent the various phases of the moon?
Well it’s kind of hard to think about another model; since if scientists are pondering about the model that can see the objects, I don’t think I can find it. But I believe it has something to with laser and other stuffs.
(Could not be scientific in this problem)
What is a lunar month?
The lunar month is the period/time for the moon to revolve around the earth. So it usually takes around 29 days for the moon to rotate around the earth.
I thought that the model gave a clear information about the phases and the movement of the moon. (21st century euro science speaks that visual effects provide you more knowledge). However I was kind of confused because I didn’t knew this model would be accurate.
Scientists are thinking all the time about how they can make models of objects that are too small or too large to see: Can you think of another way to make a model to represent the various phases of the moon?
Well it’s kind of hard to think about another model; since if scientists are pondering about the model that can see the objects, I don’t think I can find it. But I believe it has something to with laser and other stuffs.
(Could not be scientific in this problem)
What is a lunar month?
The lunar month is the period/time for the moon to revolve around the earth. So it usually takes around 29 days for the moon to rotate around the earth.
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