Understanding Moon Phases and Their Connection to the Sun, Lecture notes of Astronomy

Download Understanding Moon Phases and Their Connection to the Sun and more Lecture notes Astronomy in PDF only on Docsity! Name________________________ _______ Period_______________________ Discovery Techbook - Unit: Space Systems / Concept: Phases ****NOTE: Watch ALL embedded video clips and images as you progress through each page of the concept.**** ***ENGAGE- Answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES where appropriate. Watch all video clips and images. Complete PHASES on the Engage page then answer the questions below. 1. Which statements are correct about moon phases? Select all correct answers. a. Full moons generally occur once a week b. Full moons generally occur once a month c. A full moon is the name of the phase used when a full circle is seen d. A full moon is the name of the phase used when a full sphere is seen e. A new moon occurs once a week f. A new moon occurs once a month g. A new moon is the name of the phase used when a full circle is seen h. A new moon is the name of the phase used when no part of the moon that we see from Earth is lit The role of the sun in moon phases 2. This concept is about the phases of the moon. However, you also will learn about the sun. What is the connection between the sun and the phases of the moon? The moon does not produce its own light. It reflects the light from the sun __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Describe the different shapes of the moon you have observed in the night sky. You also may draw the different shapes you have seen. 4. Why do you think we see different shapes of the moon at night? ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ***EXPLORE p1/2- Answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES where appropriate. Watch all video clips and images. How Does the Appearance of the Moon in the Sky Change over Time? / How Does the Moon Move in Space? The lunar cycle describes the order in which the moon’s phases happen. It is the name given to the pattern of change in the moon’s appearance. It is called a cycle because the pattern repeats itself. A full cycle is completed when the moon goes from one new moon phase to the next new moon phase. The lunar cycle can be divided into eight phases: Write the Can You Explain question here: Why do we see different shapes of the moon from Earth? 1. New moon: During the new moon, the entire side of the moon facing us is dark. 2. Waxing (increasing) crescent: We see only a sliver of the moon illuminated on the right. 3. First quarter: We see a half-circle. Half of the side of the moon facing us is lit. (We see 1/4th on the right) 4. Waxing gibbous: The moon is more than half illuminated, but is not yet full. on the right 5. Full moon: The side of the moon facing us is fully illuminated by sunlight. 6. Waning (decreasing) gibbous: The moon is again more than half illuminated, but not full. On the left 7. Last quarter: Half of the side of the moon facing us is lit. This is the half that is not lit during the first quarter. 8. Waning crescent: The last sliver of the moon is illuminated. On the left The cycle then repeats with the appearance of another new moon. Label the moon phases in the diagram below The full lunar cycle takes 29.5 days. Although the moon appears to change shape, it is actually always a sphere. In addition, although the apparent shape and location of the moon change from night to night, we always see the same side of the moon. Why? The moon rotates and revolves at the same rate so the same side always faces Earth! The term “waxing” refers to a moon that is growing in illumination. The term “waning” refers to a moon that is shrinking in illumination. Draw an imaginary line down the center of the moon at night. If the side that is illuminated would fill in the shape of a “p”, think of it as premiering on the way to a full moon or a “b” for beginning its cycle. If it fills in the shape of a lower case “d”, it’s on its way to disappear. This repeating pattern is the basis for a unit of time – our calendar month. 4. Waxing gibbous 5. Full moon 6. Waning gibbous 7. Last quarter or Third Quarter 8. Waning crescent 3. First quarter 2. Waxing crescent 1. New moon