Name:_____________________________________ Period:________ Date:_________________
Background information:
The moon, like Earth, shines by reflecting light from the sun. Because the moon revolves around Earth, its reflected light is not always visible
from Earth. When Earth is between the sun and the moon, half of the moon is illuminated (lit). This is the full moon phase. When the moon is
between the Earth and the sun, we cannot see the lighted side of the moon. This is the new moon phase. Following the new moon phase, we
see a slender crescent, then a quarter moon, then a gibbous moon and finally the full moon. The lighted portion of the moon from new moon
to full moon appears to grow in size, these moons are labeled waxing moons. After the full moon, the phases reverse until the moon is
invisible again. The lighted portion of the moon is now shrinking from full moon to new moon and these are the waning moons. Because the
moon’s period of rotation is about the same as its period of revolution around Earth, we always see the same side of the moon. The complete
lunar phase cycle takes about 29 ¼ days, (new moon to new moon). This is also called a synodic month.
Materials:
Lamp
Globe
Racquet Ball
Earth Science Text Book
Objective:
You will demonstrate the phases of the moon and be able to explain why lunar phases occur.
Lunar Phases Procedure:
Lunar Phases Procedure:
Part 1
Part 2
1. Place the globe in front of the light source about 40cm away.
2. Using the racquet ball, place the ball in between the Earth and Sun.
3. Observe the moon from Earth and record your observations. (Figure
1A)
4. Then move the moon ¼ of the way around Earth in a counter
clockwise direction. Record your observations on Figure 1B.
5.
Do the same with the moon ½ the way around the Earth(Figure 1C)
and ¾ of the way around the Earth. (Figure 1 D)
1. Place the moon again between the Earth and the Sun.
2. Observe Earth and Moon from “Space” (directly above Earth)
Record your observations of the moon on Fig 2 at position A.
3. Again move the moon ¼ of the way around the Earth in a
counterclockwise direction. Record your observations of the
moon on Figure 2B Do the same with the moon ½ the way
around the Earth (Figure 2C) and ¾ of the way around the Earth
(Figure 2D)
4. Answer the Lab analysis questions in complete sentences.
Name:_____________________________________ Period:________ Date:_________________
Background information:
An eclipse is defined as an astronomical event that occurs when one celestial object moves into the shadow of another, partially or fully
obscuring it from view. The two primary types of eclipses seen from Earth are the solar eclipse and the lunar eclipse. The term solar eclipse
describes the occurrence when the moon travels between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun’s light from the Earth in the middle of the
day, and generally giving the appearance of a ring of light in the darkened sky. During a lunar eclipse, the moon moves into the shadow of
the Earth during the night time hours, gradually blocking the view of the moon from Earth. On Earth, there can be anywhere from four to
seven eclipses of varying degrees within any given year.
Materials:
Lamp
Globe
Tennis Ball
Earth Science Text Book
Objective:
You will demonstrate and explain how the two types of eclipses occur, solar and lunar.
Solar and Lunar Eclipse Procedure:
1. Study the positions of the sun, moon and Earth.
2. Use a tennis ball as a model moon. Move the moon around the globe to duplicate the exact position the moon would have to
be in for a lunar eclipse to take place.
3. Move the model moon to the position that would cause a solar eclipse.
4. Place the moon at each of the following phases: first quarter, full moon, third quarter, and new moon. Identify which, if any
type of eclipse could occur during each phase. Record your data in chart 1.
5. Place the model moon at the location where a lunar eclipse would occur. Move it slightly toward, then away from Earth.
Note the amount of change in the size of the shadow causing the eclipse. Record this information in chart 2.
6. Repeat step 5 with the model moon in a position where a solar eclipse would occur.
7. Answer questions in complete sentences.