Objective: Determine the relationship between the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun over several observations.
Pre-Lab Questions:
- What do you expect will happen to the Moon’s appearance over your observation period?
- How does the location of the Earth, Moon, and Sun at any given time relate to the phase of the Moon seen?
Procedure:
- Over the next two weeks, observe the Moon on at least 5 different days.
- For each observation, make a sketch on the lab sheet showing how the Moon appears in the sky and label it with the name of the phase.
- For each observation, record the date and time of day (including am or pm) the observation was made, as well as the number of days since the previous observation.
- For each observation, describe approximately where in the sky the Moon is located. (For example, “low in the sky in the southeast”, “on the western horizon”, or “high in the sky towards the south”.) Also give a basic description of any features visible on the Moon and note any changes from previous observations.
- For each observation, include additional notes that are relevant or of interest (weather conditions, apparent size on sky, etc.).
- For each observation, place the Moon on the diagram in the appropriate location and label it with the date of the observation.
- Study the sketches, notes, and diagrams you have completed and then answer the questions at the end of the lab.
Sketch Date/Time Location Notes
Date:__
Time:__
Circle one:
am pm Your location (city, state):
Moon location in Sky:
Features:
Other Notes:
Date:__
Time:__
Circle one:
am pm
Days Since Previous Observation:_ Your location (city, state):
Moon location in Sky:
Features:
Other Notes:
Date:__
Time:__
Circle one:
am pm
Days Since Previous Observation:_ Your location (city, state):
Moon location in Sky:
Features:
Other Notes:
Date:__
Time:__
Circle one:
am pm
Days Since Previous Observation:_ Your location (city, state):
Moon location in Sky:
Features:
Other Notes:
Date:__
Time:__
Circle one:
am pm
Days Since Previous Observation:_ Your location (city, state):
Moon location in Sky:
Features:
Other Notes:
Questions
- What was the total length of your observations (i.e., how many days between the first and last observations)?
- Over the total time of your observations, describe how the appearance of the Moon changed (be specific).
- With references to your observation notes and the diagram you completed, explain how the location of the Moon relative to Earth and the Sun are related to what you observed.
- Were any changes in the features on the Moon noted? Explain your observation, referring to the Moon’s orbit and rotation.
Sample Solution