Moon Phases and Eclipses

In this activity, you will review the eight moon phases and the locations of the Earth, moon and sun during each phase.  You will also be introduced to why we have solar and lunar eclipses.

First, let's review the moon phases.  Remember, waxing means "getting bigger" or "turning on" (Wax On!).  The moon's light side will be on the right as we see it from Earth.  Waning means getting smaller.  The sun's light reflecting off the moon will shine on the left side of the moon as we see it from Earth.  Half the moon is always lit by the sun; it's just what we see from our perspective on Earth that determines the phase (shape).  Imagine yourself standing on the Earth in this diagram and looking out at each moon phase.

Solar and Lunar Eclipses

Let's take a closer look at what an eclipse is and how the positions of the Earth, moon and sun affect these awesome celestial events.  The underlined title below is a link to the resources you will need.  Please progress through the entire site, clicking on the underlined titles below each section.  You are finished when it takes you back to the teaching section.  You may also click on any underlined words you need defined.

Click here: How do the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon Move?.  

Your Task

• After going through the site, reading, viewing animations and discovering the facts...
• On a blank piece of paper folded lengthwise, sketch the locations of the Earth, moon and sun during both a lunar AND solar eclipse.  For more diagrams of the eclipses click here or search for images of solar and/or lunar eclipses on google.
• Label each object and be sure to show AND label the shadow (umbra and penumbra).
• Write your name and period on your paper in the upper left-hand corner.
• On the back of your sketch, answer the following questions:
• 1.  What phase is the moon in during a lunar eclipse?
• 2.  What phase is the moon in during a solar eclipse?
• 3.  Explain the difference between the umbra and penumbra.
• 4.  How long does it take the moon to rotate on its axis?
• Bonus:  How long does it take the sun to rotate?

Check this rubric to ensure you have met the requirements (click to enlarge):

FYI

Did you know there will be a total eclipse of the sun visible in our area in 2017?  Yep, on the afternoon of August 23, 2017 you will have a ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity to see a total eclipse of the sun. You may have to travel an a couple of hours to the southwest from here (Petersburg, Indiana)  to see it, weather permitting of course.

Here is the link for more information:  Eclipse2017.org

Hey Awesome Science Students! Let's do a Web-quest to learn more about WHY WE HAVE SEASONS!

The Learning Objective:

You will be able to  identify and illustrate how the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it rotates and revolves around the Sun causes changes in seasons

Welcome to the Real World

Congratulations!  You have been hired by an educational publishing company to produce posters for middle school science classrooms. Your first poster is to be one that shows the causes of seasons on Earth.

Since many students have the wrong idea about what causes seasons (they think that they are caused by the Earth being closer to the Sun during the summer) it is very important that your poster be very accurate. Your poster will answer the question "What causes seasons"?  Your boss (Me) expects your product to be turned in within two rotations of the Earth (that’s 48 hours!) including today.  LET’S GO!

The Task

• Using a Microsoft program such as Word, Publisher or PowerPoint, build a prototype poster that explains how the tilt of the Earth and its revolution around the Sun causes seasons.  

OR

• Use a sheet of drawing paper, pencils, colored pencils, markers etc. to create your poster.

The Process

1. You will work in teams of two to three.

2. Begin by reviewing some background information on the causes of seasons.

Make sure you understand:

 • Axis tilt:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/Seasons.shtml

http://www.materialworlds.com/sims/SolarSystem/FourSeasons1View/WhatIf/netscape.html

• Revolution around the Sun

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6h.html

http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6hrevolution.html

http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es0408/es0408page01.cfm?chapter_no=04

• Angle of sunlight

http://www.uwm.edu/~kahl/CoVis/Seasons/

3.  Now build your poster using your computer or drawing paper.

4.  If using a computer program, be sure to print out your poster.

5.  Turn in your finished product on the lab station of your class period.

What did you learn?

You should now have an understanding of the true causes of seasons.

Think about this (answer on the back of your poster):

1.  What would happen if any one of the variables (angle, sun’s energy, tilt, revolution) changed?  How would that affect the seasons?

2.  Why do we have seasons?

Self Assess
Use the rubric below to make sure you have completed all criteria of your JOB!
(Click image to enlarge)

Horsehead Nebula