Moon phases FA22
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Tulsa Community College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
PHSC-1114
Subject
Astronomy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
9
Uploaded by DrGoldfishPerson288
Shihabi, Page 1
of 9
Moon Phases Experiment
Learning Goals
1.
Identify the moon phases and the moon’s apparent shape during each phase.
2.
Determine the position of the moon with respect to the earth and the sun during each phase
3.
Scientifically, explain the cause of moon phases and the rationale behind each apparent shape associated with each phase.
4.
Based on the earth and sun’s positions with respect to the moon during each of the moon phases, determine the time of the day the moon rise
s
, reaches
its highest altitude in the sky, and sets during each phase.
USE RED FONT in answering the questions below. If you don’t use a red font, a 50% penalty will be applied.
Part 1
: Engagement Probe:
Professor Shihabi asked his class to share their ideas about what causes the
different phases of the Moon. This is what some of his students said:
Mariam: The Moon lights up in different parts at different times of the month.
Mike: The phases of the Moon change according to the season of the year.
Sofia: Parts of the Moon reflect light depending on the position of the Earth in rela
tion to the Sun and Moon.
Khaled: The Earth casts a shadow that causes a monthly pattern in how much of the
Moon we can see from Earth.
John: Different planets cast a shadow on the Moon as they revolve around the Sun.
Chen: The shadow of the Sun blocks part of the Moon each night causing a pattern
of different Moon phases.
Natasha: The clouds cover the parts of the Moon that we can't see.
Raj: The Moon grows a little bit bigger each day until it is full and then it gets smaller
again. It repeats this cycle every month.
Which student do you agree with and why? Explain your thinking.
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
Shihabi, Page 2
of 9
Part 2
: Dark room Experiment
Materials needed: (per student group)
light source (flashlight or your cell phone’s flash light) to represent the sun
one 6 inch diameter Styrofoam ball
to represent the moon (around 10$ from amazon)
Or any type of light-colored ball you have at your home
Dark room
This is a model-building activity, the light source represents the sun, styrofoam ball represents the moon, and you will represent the viewpoint of a person on Earth. It is very helpful if you observe the moon for a month prior to this exercise.
You can also watch a brief demonstration of the lab procedure at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/moon-phases/
Moon Phases Demonstration
Safety warnings:
Be careful if you use pointed end pencil to hold the ball. Also, do not get close to the light source since it may heat up. Finally, with eye sensitivities make sure to look away from the light source frequently.
Prep work:
-Mount the flashlight (or cell phone) directed toward the Styrofoam ball. The light is the sun’s light. The Styrofoam ball is the moon.
- hold the Styrofoam ball via a pencil attached through the hole, in your left hand. You are an observer on earth.
Shihabi, Page 3
of 9
Procedure
Keep in mind the following:
a) The light out of the flash light represents the sun’s light.
b) The Styrofoam ball (sphere) represents the moon.
c) The person holding the Styrofoam ball is an observer on earth. In all the steps below, please consult http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/moon-
phases/
for the demonstration of each step.
Insert a photo below (a selfie) that shows you and the ball you are using (the moon)
[Insert photo here]
1.
New Moon:
To begin, the earth observer holding the moon should face the flash light (sun’s light) and extend the sphere directly in front of them, raising the Styrofoam ball enough so he/she can also see the flash light. This view simulates a new moon. As you look at the moon, you will see that the sunlight is shining on the far side, opposite to you view of the moon. From Earth, the new moon is not seen.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Shihabi, Page 4
of 9
2.
Waxing Crescent Moon:
Keeping your arm extended in front of your body, observers on earth turn your body counterclockwise about 45 degrees. You (observer from earth) should face your Styrofoam ball (moon) and observe the illuminated part of the moon. you should see the right-hand edge of the sphere illuminated as a crescent. The crescent starts out very thin and fattens up as the moon moves farther away from the sun (as you begin to turn in a circle). We say the moon is waxing because we are seeing more of its surface illuminated.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are still confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
3.
First Quarter:
Continue turning left so the moon and your body are now at 90 degrees to the left of the original position.
The right half of the sphere should now be illuminated. This phase is called the first quarter
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
Shihabi, Page 5
of 9
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
.
4.
Waxing Gibbous Moon:
Continue to turn to 135 degree angle. you should see more and more illuminated surface.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
5.
Full Moon:
Continue moving and observing till your moon so is directly opposite to the sun (180 degree angle). Make sure you hold your moon high enough so the "sunlight" is not blocked by your head. As viewed from Earth, the half seen from Earth is fully illuminated.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
Shihabi, Page 6
of 9
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
(starting at minute 3:45)
6.
Waning Gibbous Moon
: As you continue to turn, stop at 225 degree angle. You should start to see less and less of the illuminated surface.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my video here
(starting at minute 4:35)
7.
Third or Last Quarter Moon
: Keep turning, with arms extended, stop at 270 degree angle. You are now three-quarters of the way around from your original position. This is
the third, or last, quarter. You should observe that the opposite side from the first quarter moon is now illuminated.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Shihabi, Page 7
of 9
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my previous videos over the other phases.
8.
Waning Crescent Moon:
As you continue to turn, stop at 315 degree angle. Now the illuminated surface of the moon is growing smaller and smaller, bringing
it back to a new moon.
Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Use this simulation
to answer the following question:
When does the moon phase discussed above rise, when is it at its highest point in the sky,
when does it set?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
If you are confused or not sure how to use the simulation, check my previous videos over the other phases.
Shihabi, Page 8
of 9
9.
Return to New Moon
: The continued counterclockwise movement brings a thinning crescent and finally a return to a new moon. Sketch your observation below (or select one of the options out of options a to h at the end of this lab, then copy it and paste it below).
[Insert photo here]
Answer the questions below:
1)
In which phase(s) above, you can see the moon during day time? [
Insert answer here in red font
]
2)
which phase(s) you cannot see the moon during day time period?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
3)
Which phase(s) you can see the moon the longest during day time (it appears during the day longer than during the night time)?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
4)
Which phase(s) you can see the moon the longest during night time? (it appears during the night longer than during the day time)
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
5)
Which phase(s) you can see the moon equally between day time and night time?
[
Insert answer here in red font
]
6)
Why do we see moon phases? [
Insert answer here in red font
]
Shihabi, Page 9
of 9
Student view options a to h:
Option (a) Option (b)
Option (c)
Option (d) Option (e)
Option (f)
Option (g) Option (h)
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help