LAB - Moon Phases ( The Phases of Cynthia ) The moon revolves around the Earth once every moonth - that s where the word month comes from. During the 29.5 day moonth, The Moon, as viewed from Earth, goes through a cycle of phases or shapes. Sometimes we see only a little of the right side lit up. Other times, it s the left side. Sometimes we see the Moon during the morning or afternoon, sometimes at night, and sometimes not at all. Careful observations reveal that these motions and phases of the Moon are predictable and quite easily understood. In this lab, you ll discover for yourself the pattern of the phases of the Moon. Galileo used his knowledge of the cyclic changing phases of the moon to view Venus through his telescope. Upon seeing Venus going through a full cycle of phases, Galileo published his results in a Latin anagram the read The mother of love imitates the shape of Cynthia, meaning the planet Venus (the mother of love) goes through all the phases that the Moon (Cynthia) goes through, thus Venus must pass on both sides of the Sun proving Ptolemy s geocentric model wrong!! The Names of the Shapes of the Moon The Phases of Cynthia When less than half the moon is illuminated, we call that shape a Crescent. When more than half the moon is illuminated, we call that shape Gibbous. When exactly half the moon is illuminated, we call it a Quarter Moon. Of course you know the Full Moon!! And finally, when the Moon s dark side is facing us and the illuminated side is facing away from us, we can t see the moon, but we call it a New Moon.
The Phases of the Moon While performing the demonstration on moon phases, you will observe your model moon going through a full cycle of phases just as is seen here on Earth. During/after the demonstration,: 1. Label the Date and the name of the phase the moon is in at each position. 2. Draw the Moon phase as seen from the Earth. SUNLIGHT Draw the moon phases as seen from Earth: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Extension Activities Make a Moon Phase Calendar A finished Moon Phase Calendar usually has 30 days from Full Moon to Full Moon and shows the whole range of phases of the moon as they progress throughout the month. Starting with the Full Moon, the moon gets thinner little by little until the New Moon phase, when it begins to gain light each night until the next Full Moon. 1. Cut out the 30 picture squares of the moon phases (last page of the lab). 2. Note that the two Full Moon phases are labeled. One is the first phase, the other is the last phase for your calendar. 3. Arrange the cut-out moon phases from Full Moon to Full Moon in the proper sequence on your calendar. This should show how the moon actually will look each night for a month. 4. Once the squares are arranged properly, the letters on the squares will form a sentence that explains why we see the moon in these different phases. 5. When you have the sentence completely correct, paste the squares on the appropriate days to complete your calendar. Moon Phases Web Activities Go to the following websites: Lunar Phase simulator: http://tinyurl.com/4yb22f8 Lunar Phase quizzer: http://tinyurl.com/7vhxo5s Use the manipulative simulations above to understand moon phases and quiz yourself to check your knowledge on Moon Phases! Go to the following website: http://tinyurl.com/347urg, and complete the activity/exercises. Be sure to read all the information given and complete each exercise before going on to the next part. After completing the two activities, answer the nine questions, submit your answers, and print out your answer sheet and attach it to this lab for credit.
Discussion Questions: 1. What did the light represent in the lab demonstration? Why couldn t the moon show phases without it? 2. What moon movement causes the moon to change positions as it goess from phase to phase? 3. How much of the moon is actually lit at each position? Why don t we see all of the lit part of the moon in every position if the same amount is always lit? 4. Describe the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during the New Moon phase. Why does the Moon appear invisible during this phase? 5. Describe the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during the Full Moon phase. 6. What phase follows a Full Moon? 7. What phase follows a New Moon? 8. Between which two phases is the moon waxing? 9. Between which two phases is the moon waning? 10. Why do we see the phases of the Moon?
Reading Comprehension: Read the portion of the article on a Lunar Eclipse that occurred on February 21 st, 2008, and answer the following questions based on the reading. Use complete sentences. February s Red Moon: Lunar Eclipse On 21 February http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211133105.htm ScienceDaily (Feb. 11, 2008) People across the western hemisphere may be surprised to see a rust-colored Moon in the sky on 21 February. Early that morning (the evening of the 20 February for observers in North and South America) will be this year s first and only total eclipse of the Moon. In a total lunar eclipse, the Earth, Sun and Moon are almost exactly in line and the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. The Moon is full, moves into the shadow of the Earth and dims dramatically but usually remains visible, lit by sunlight that passes through the Earth s atmosphere. Stronger atmospheric scattering of blue light means that the light that reaches the lunar surface is predominantly red in color so observers on Earth see a Moon that may be brick-colored, rusty, blood red or sometimes dark grey, depending on terrestrial conditions. The Moon travels to a similar position every month, but the tilt of the lunar orbit means that it normally passes above or below the terrestrial shadow. A Full Moon is seen but no eclipse takes place. Lunar eclipses are visible wherever the Moon is above the horizon. The whole of this eclipse will be visible from northwest Africa, Western Europe including the British Isles, the eastern half of North America and the whole of South America. Depending on their location, sky watchers just outside these regions should be able to see at least part of the eclipse too. In the UK night owls and early risers will both have a chance to watch the eclipse. It begins at 0035 GMT when the Moon enters the lightest part of the Earth s shadow, the penumbra. Soon after the Moon will have a slight yellowish hue. At 0142 GMT the Moon starts to enter the dark core of the Earth s shadow, the umbra. At 0301 GMT the Moon will be completely within the umbra the total part of the eclipse has begun. This is the time when it should have an obvious red colour. Mid-eclipse is at 0326 GMT and the total phase ends at 0352 GMT. At 0509 GMT the Moon leaves the umbra and the eclipse ends when the Moon leaves the penumbra at 0617 GMT. During the eclipse the Moon lies in front of the stars of the constellation of Leo. On the right of the Moon will be the bright star Regulus and on the left will be the planet Saturn. The lunar eclipse promises to be a spectacular sight and unlike the solar equivalent, the whole event is quite safe to watch and needs no special equipment.
1. Draw a diagram to show the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a total lunar eclipse. 2. Why does the Moon appear red during a total lunar eclipse? 3. Why don t you see a total lunar eclipse every month? 4. About how long does a lunar eclipse last?