_moon observation
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McMaster University *
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Course
4EM3
Subject
Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
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2
Uploaded by ChefCrane2979
Instructions; The Moon is familiar to everyone. Its monthly cycle of phases is readily visible and the
full Moon in particular is often a source of interest to the news media. The Moon is a source of interest for science articles, poetry, epic fictional stories, and movies. In this exercise however, we will introduce you to the “real” Moon, revealing craters, plains of dried lava, phases, etc., through both direct visual observations (by Zoom, optional) and CCD images using the telescopes at the Allan I. Carswell Observatory (AICO). Each student will receive 2 (digital) images of the Moon (taken at the AICO) to analyze regardless of whether you visit the Observatory in-person (or Zoom) or not.
Assignment Requirements Once you receive your 2 images of the Moon (by email from the course Director or one of the TAs), proceed to answer the following questions. 1.
From the file names of the Moon images you are provided, record the date (year-month-day) on which the images were taken. For example, a filename of 2020-03-09 indicates the image was taken on the 9th of March 2020. (1 mark)
A filename 2022- 02- 08 indicates that the image was taken on the 8th of February 2022 1.
Determine and record what the date of the previous New Moon was prior to when your Moonimages were taken. (1 mark)
2.
How “old” was the Moon in your images (the number of days since the previous new Moon) and what was the Moon’s phase on the date the images were taken? (1 mark)
3.
Print your (PDF) images of the Moon sent to you following your Observing session. (I recommend using a “Landscape” printing option.) Alternately to printing, use a program that will allow you to “markup” the images. From your CCD images, identify and name three natural features. Mark the locations on your CCD images. These can be mountains, craters, seas, etc. At least one of these features must be a crater. You will need to research lunar maps and
features in order to make successful identifications. Be sure the reference material you use is cited in the references list (Bibliography). (3 mark)
(When marking write the number of question and what it is you are marking. For example (3, crater)) 4.
Name and identify where on your image one spacecraft mission from any nation resides. This can include a controlled landing or a crash site. Either robotic or crewed missions are acceptable. Again, research will be required to identify such a location. (1 mark)
(When marking write number of question and what it is you are marking→ (4, ….)
5.
Once the features from questions 4 and 5 have been identified, briefly summarize (a couple of sentences each) the pertinent information about all four features such as their size, formation, composition, date of impact/landing
(spacecraft feature Q5), etc. (4 mark)
Format like this: Q4: Q5:
6.
Mark on both the CCD images the cardinal directions (North, South, East, West). (1 mark)
7.
Measure carefully in millimeters your identified crater from Q4 above. Knowing its true size in kilometres, determine the scale of your image in kilometres per milimetre. Show your working.(2 mark)
8.
Look up the average diameter of the Moon in kilometres. With your scale from 8 above, what would be the diameter of a full lunar image in milimetres? (2 mark)
9.
Inspect each of your two images. Decide where the least and the most heavily cratered sections on the images are located. Draw two, 5 cm boxes encompassing these two sections being sure not to include any portion of the terminator or limb. Carefully count the total number of craters (ALL sizes) within each of the boxes and record the numbers. (2 mark)
10. What does the difference in the number of craters in each box suggest to you? Explain your reasoning. (2 mark)
11. Be sure to include the references you have used to locate and describe your lunar features. (1 mark)
12. Imagine you are visiting a friend who is located at a lunar settlement where the Apollo 14 mission landed. Where on the Moon are you? (1 mark)
13. You are informed that from York University, a total lunar eclipse will shortly be observed. Describe what you will see from the Moon during this event. (2 marks)
14. Note: the cover page must be submitted with the appropriate information cited.
(1 mark)
MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE ME THE PICTURE WITH ALL THE LABELING AND MARK UP OF
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