TEK 8.7B Demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle Moon Phases or the Lunar Cycle
This lesson takes 3 steps Step 1 go over class notes as a whole class Step 2 go through the learning stations in the classroom (need to get textbook and the tray for the supplies and instructions) Step 3 Explore answer questions based on website link Unit 4.1, Lesson 4: Moon Phases. The link is called star date
Step 1 Whole class notes
Moon Phases The phase of the moon you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth
The Moon The moon is the Earth s closest neighbor in space. On average the moon is 384, 400 kilometers from Earth. It is about ¼ the size of Earth, which means that the gravity on the moon is also about ¼ of Earth s
The Moon s Orbit The moon revolves around the Earth and rotates on its own axis Revolution Moon orbits the Earth every 27.3 days Rotation Moon turns on its axis approximately every 27 days Therefore, The same side of the moon always faces Earth
A Day (and year) on the Moon Because the moon revolves around the Earth at the same rate that it rotates on its axis, the moon s day and year are the almost the same amount of time! How does a day = a year???
Moon Day/Year Comparison: Day Definition of a day: Rotate once on an axis Earth rotates once = 1 day (24 hours) Moon rotates once = 27 earth days Year Definition of revolve: Move around another body Earth takes 1 year to revolve around the sun (365 days) Moon takes about 27 (earth) days to revolve around earth So, a moon s day almost equals a moon s year!
Why one side faces Earth: Moon s Rotation and Revolution
Video #2 (Animation) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgoip90apes
Near Side of the Moon You see this all of the time! Phases of the Moon
Far Side of the Moon You never see this! Phases of the Moon
Misconception: Dark Side of the Moon The Dark Side of the Moon should really be called the Far Side. The far side gets just as much light as the near side. We just don t ever see it, so people previously thought that it was dark!
Moon Phases Moonlight is reflected sunlight Half the moon s surface is always reflecting light From Earth we see different amounts of the Moon s lit surface The amount seen is called a phase
4 Main Shapes to the Phases Shade in and label! FULL CRESCENT QUARTER GIBBOUS
Moon Positions = Phases Where the moon is located in its revolution path gives us the phases. It simply repeats the pattern of going through these four main shapes
Shapes and Phases The four main shapes and the inbetween steps are what we call the phases. Let s take a look at them now.
Moon Phases label and shade: New Moon Waxing Crescent 1 st Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous 3rd Quarter Waning Crescent
When you look at the actual moon (not shapes) Can you tell the difference between the first and second one?
They are actually different phases. The moon is actually in a different place in it s revolution Hence, it is a different phase
As the moon grows larger, towards becoming a full moon, it is called a waxing moon.
Words to Know Waxing To increase in size
As the moon grows smaller, away from being a full moon, it is called a waning moon.
Words to Know Waning Decrease in size
Identifying Moon Phases Tips! The shadow on the moon always disappears from right to left when the moon is growing. If you can see the right side of the moon, then it is growing. The moon always disappears from left to right as well. So if you can see the left side then it is getting smaller. Crescent Moons are when it s less than half illuminated, and gibbous when it s more than half.
Last Tip! Determining Moon Phases in Northern Hemisphere During the first quarter, the moon will look like a D. When it s full, it will look like an O. And when it s in the third quarter, it will look like a C.
Cyclical Phases of the Moon The moon goes through its whole set of phases each time it revolves around the Earth. As the moon revolves around the Earth, you see more and more of the lighted side of the moon.
Moon Phases Animation
Earth, Moon and Sun Start here!
Moon Rise The moon doesn t always rise and set at the same time, but changes depending on what phase it s in. You can t see a new moon because it isn t illuminated by the sun, and because it rises and sets at the same time as the sun.
Moon Rise As the waxing moon moves into its first quarter, it will rise in the morning, reach its height around dusk, and set around midnight. Full moons come up when the sun goes down and set when the sun comes up. As the waning moon moves into its third quarter, it will rise at midnight and set in the morning.
Beautiful moon rise
Compare the top and bottom diagrams:
So What causes Phases? Caused by changes in the relative position of the moon, Earth, and the sun.
Step 2 Learning Stations Go through the learning stations to apply your knowledge. All of the stations are at each spot 4 stations Read and Respond Science Diagram Predictions Modeling
Step 3 - Exploration Use the Star Date link posted on this lesson on teacher s website.