lunar phases_Lab

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American Public University *

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Astronomy

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Feb 20, 2024

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Uploaded by 32denny

Name: Lunar Phase Simulator – Student Guide Part I: Background Material Answer the following questions after reviewing the background pages for the simulator. Page 1 – Introduction to Moon Phases Is there a dark side of the moon? (Note: this question can be effectively answered either yes or no, so it is important to explain your reasoning.): There is always a dark side of the Moon as it is just the opposite side from the Sun. This is a more literal answer to the question, but there is a side of the Moon that is “dark” to the average human due to the Moon’s rotation speed and orbit period around the Earth. This keeps only one side of the Moon facing Earth and leaves the other side only visible to spacecraft or astronauts. How long does it take the moon to complete one cycle of phases, in days? ___ 29 days ______ If the moon is full today, what phase do you expect it to be at in a week? ____ Waning Gibbous _________ How about one month later? ________ Full Moon _____ Many words in astronomy also non-astronomical uses as well. Using your knowledge of how the terms on the left are used in astronomy match them with the non- astronomical uses on the right. waning convex, rounded -- also hunch-backed, having a hump gibbous to increase in size, quantity, volume, intensity, etc. waxing decrease in magnitude, importance, brilliancy, intensity, etc. NAAP – Lunar Phase Simulator 1/8

The following sketches of the moon's appearance were made over about four weeks. Identify the phases and put them in the correct numerical order. One is labeled for you. Picture Order Phase Picture Order Phase A 3 Waning Crescent D 4 First Quarter B 1 waning gibbous E 5 Waxing Gibbous C 6 Full Moon F 2 Waning Crescent Page 2 – Introduction to Moon Phases From the perspective of an observer above the North Pole, the moon moves clockwise / counter-clockwise (circle) in its orbit around the earth. In the diagram below the sun's light is coming in from the right. The moon's location is marked at several points on its orbit. These are the points the moon was at when the sketches above were drawn. Identify each position with the letter of the corresponding sketch. Page 3 – The Time of Day NAAP – Lunar Phase Simulator 2/8 D E C B F A

Use the interactive diagram at the bottom of the page to determine the direction of the earth’s rotation when viewed from above the North Pole. (Hint: rotate the observer – the stickfigure – to the noontime position, then sunset position, then midnight position, and finally back to sunrise position. The earth has made one complete rotation and the observer has experience one daily (diurnal) cycle of day and night.) When viewed from above the North Pole, does the earth rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise? ____ Counter-Clockwise______________ Page 4 – Rising and Setting When the moon crosses the western side of the horizon plane it is rising / setting (circle). When it crosses the eastern side of the horizon plane it is rising / setting (circle). Page 5 – The Horizon Diagram Describe the location of the moon in the sky of the horizon diagram at bottom. Use direction words (like north, west, etc.) and estimate its altitude in degrees. _______ The Moon is rising in the East at 0 Degrees_______ Page 6 – The Witness and the Detective If we know the moon's position in the sky and its phase, we can estimate the _____ Time_______. In general, knowing any two of the following three things allows us to estimate the third: 1. moon's position in the sky 2. __ The Time ___________________________ 3. ____ The Moon’s Phase __________________ NAAP – Lunar Phase Simulator 3/8

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