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When you look at the sky, you often see the moon. Over several weeks, the moon's appearance changes. Below is an image of the sun and earth. Based on this image, is it day or night in North America. (Click the answer you think is correct.)
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Remember the side of Earth facing the sun is experiencing day. The side facing away from the Sun experiences night. Drag your mouse over or click any moon phase below to see the moon's position in relation to Earth and to the sun.
What provides light to the moon? The Earth or the sun? It takes the moon about 28 days to revolve once around the Earth. During the first phase of the moon, it is on the side of Earth experiencing daylight. You cannot see the moon during this phase from Earth.
Want to have fun? NASA has provided a site for you to predict what the moon will look like on any given day.
Now visit BrainPop and view the video about the moon!
As you look up at the walls at Zion National Park, you see the moon in the sky above. What happened? Last week, it seemed like more of the moon was visible! You borrow binoculars to try and see if you can see the "hidden" edge at the side of the moon.
Now
is your chance to keep track of the differences in how the moon looks.
Are you ready for your this fun assignment! For the next 28 days, draw
what the moon looks like. You may need to get your parents permission
if the moon is not visible before you have to go to bed!
Materials:
- pen or pencil
- paper
- chart
Use the chart to track the visible changes in how the moon looks. Shade in each circle showing how much of the moon is hidden. Remember to write the date and time of your observations. Also get your parents to initial that they let you do the observations.
Example - a completely shaded circle
means that you cannot see any of the moon.
Example - a circle with no shading means
you can see the entire moon!
Try IT!
Still need more practice? This is a fun activity you can do!
You
will need a package of chocolate sandwich cookies, a spoon, and a calendar.
Separate the cookies and use the white frosting to represent the illuminated
portion of the moon that we see during each phase. The chocolate cookie
represents the part of the moon that is not illuminated. Once you have
made a cookie representing the four main phases (new moon, first quarter,
full moon, last quarter), turn to the current month in your calendar.
Using the calendar or the Internet, or your teacher as a resource, place
the new moon cookie on the appropriate day. Then, predict when each of
the other phases will appear in the night sky. Place them on the calendar.
Then eat your moon phases!
Back
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| Get the plug-ins: Want to share a photograph of you or your friends doing this activity? Send the photograph attached to an e-mail with the following information: the title of the activity, the URL (Internet address), and your name. Remember that no picture can be used showing student faces or with a student name on it. Send comments to Glen Westbroek. Updated July 21, 2005 by: Glen
Westbroek |
