Name ______________________________________ Date ____________ Per ________

Lunar Phases Web Tool
Contributed by Christine Girtain
Toms River High School South
 

Go to http://www.calvin.edu/~lmolnar/moon/
Read the instructions.

1. What are the first 3 assumptions that are made by this lab?

2. What are the 3 assumptions that are made by this lab for the day /night cycle?

3. What 2 things do you need to know if you want to know where to look in the sky to fine the moon?

Go to The Time of Day Tutorial. Read the explanation below the interactive tutorial. Try using the tutorial to get more familiar with the relative position of the sun based on the time of day. Draw the proper diagram for # 10

4. Why is East to the left of the stick figure?

5. What symbol shows you the direction of the sun & is it on the left or right side of the screen?

6. Please notice that the time of day is always labeled above the red stick figures head. What time is it if the stick figure’s head was between 6am and Noon?

7. What time is it if the sun is directly over the stick figures head?

8. What time is it if the sun is due east of the stick figure?

9. What time is it if the sun is due west of the stick figure?

10. Draw the Earth, a stick figure & the sun’s rays to demonstrate 12pm and than a diagram showing 3am.

Go to the bottom of the page and click on Apparent Direction of Moon. Use the tool to explore the direction the Moon is from the stick figure. Try all the direction options so you are familiar with the terminology.

11. Remember that straight up is 6pm. What moon phase is seen straight above the observer’s head at 6pm?

12. What moon phase is seen due west of the stick figure if it is 6pm?

13. What moon phase is below the western horizon if it is 6pm?

14. Rotate the stick figure so it is 3am. Remember the stick figure’s head needs to be between Midnight and 6am. What phase of the Moon is seen straight above the observer’s head at 3am?

15. What phase of the Moon is seen due east of the stick figure if it is 3am?

16. What phase of the Moon is below the eastern horizon at 3am?

Go to the Tool & Quiz. Read the explanation & try to predict the time of day, based on the Time of Month and Direction to the moon that is given in gray. Notice you only have to determine one factor based on the two factors the computer gives you. The factor given will change. Try this about 10 –20 times. When you have mastered the concept and finished these questions, come ask me for the quiz.

17. Draw and label each phase of the Moon, as it would be seen in our sky. Note these are shown on the left hand side of the Tool & Quiz page.

Go to the Beyond the Basics page. Read the whole page and answer the questions below.

18. Where is the view of the Earth from in this tool?

19. What is the average time elapsed from, say, New Moon to First Quarter?