Moon Phases Observation Exercise - Prof. Roger B. Culver, Exams of Astronomy

Download Moon Phases Observation Exercise - Prof. Roger B. Culver and more Exams Astronomy in PDF only on Docsity! Extended Observations of the Moon Due April 4th at the start of class 1. Introduction In this exercise you will observe the moon as it traverses the sky and changes phase. By watching the moon over an extended period you will gain a better understanding of how the moon is illuminated by the sun (its phase) and how it moves across the backdrop of stars from night to night with respect to the motion of the sun. 2. Measurements and Observations In this exercise you will track the Moon over approximately a month. You will be observing both the phase of the Moon as well as the posi- tion of the Moon with respect to the Earth and Sun. It is recommended that you make more observations than specifically required to ensure that none of the phases are missed due to in- clement weather. You will need to observe the Moon in 8(7) phases: waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full, waning gibbous, third quarter, waning crescent, and new. For each observation you should record: • The time and date • A sketch of the Moon • The name of the Moon’s phase • The approximate rise and set times of the Moon • A sketch of the relative positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon at the time of your observation, as well as your position on the Earth. This sketch should be made as if looking down at all three objects from above the North Pole of the Earth. These observations will help you in answering the questions at the end of the lab, but will not be collected. 3. Questions 1. At approximately what time of day will the first quarter Moon rise? What time will it set? What about the third quarter and full Moons? (The answer should be given as number of hours before or after sunrise or sunset) 2. Discuss the effects the full Moon has on as- tronomical viewing as opposed to the effects of a slim crescent. 3. A popular notion is that the lunar phases are caused by the moon entering the earth’s shadow. Do your data confirm or deny this idea? Explain. 4. Describe how one might tell, from only one observation, whether the Moon is waxing or waning. 4. Writeup With your writeup you will need to turn in a compilation of your sketches: a single diagram of the Earth-Sun system, but now with multiple moon phases drawn in - one for each phase of the Moon drawn in the correct location and labeled. This diagram will be part of the lab and must fit within the two page layout.