Moon Phases

Bell Work: November 17, 2011

We will be discussing Moon Phases today. Start to think of the causes of the Moon Phases. So far this unit, we have talked about Day/Night, Direct/Indirect Sunlight, Rotation and Revolution of the Sun and Moon. Using what you already have learned about and building upon prior knowledge, why does the moon change in appearance as time passes? Please EXPLAIN your answer.

First, let's look at the moon phases and get a feel for what causes our moon phases. We will then be able to examine different moon phases and determine the name for each phase!

Click the moon to see the video! ----->>

The study tool on Phases of the Moon will be great for you to put in your binder. We will do this activity together as a class.

We will go through an activity on the board to help you out!

Now, let's look at an interactive smartboard on the Moon Phases. Now I get to see how well you have listened!! :)

Here is a fun rap on Moon Phases- LISTEN TO THE WORDS! THIS WILL HELP YOU REMEMBER THE LUNAR PHASES! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79M2lSVZiY4

Eclipses

An eclipse occurs at those times when the Moon moves into a position of direct alignment with the Sun and the Earth . There are two basic types of eclipses – lunar and solar.

How often do eclipses occur?!

Since New Moon occurs every 29 1/2 days, you might think that we should have a solar eclipse about once a month. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen because the Moon's orbit around Earth is tilted 5 degrees to Earth's orbit around the Sun. As a result, the Moon's shadow usually misses Earth as it passes above or below our planet at New Moon. At least twice a year, the geometry lines up just right so that some part of the Moon's shadow falls on Earth's surface and an eclipse of the Sun is seen from that region.

The Moon's shadow actually has two parts:

◦ 1. Penumbra▪ The Moon's faint outer shadow.▪ Partial solar eclipses are visible from within

the penumbral shadow.◦ 2. Umbra▪ The Moon's dark inner shadow.▪ Total solar eclipses are visible from within

the umbral shadow.

When the Moon's penumbral shadow strikes Earth, we see a partial eclipse of the Sun from that region. Partial eclipses are dangerous to look at because the un-eclipsed part of the Sun is still very bright. You must use special filters or a home-made pinhole projector to safely watch a partial eclipse of the Sun.

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse is an eclipse of the Moon rather than the Sun. It happens when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow. This is only possible when the Moon is in the Full Moon phase.

Most people have seen at least one total lunar eclipse, when the full Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. In this case, the Sun and the Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. If you observe a lunar eclipse (visible only at night at the time of certain full Moons), you’ll see the bright lunar disk turn dark -- sometimes a coppery red color -- for as long as an hour or more.

As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2008/index.html

Video on Solar Eclipse!

Exit Ticket:

Please list the 8 phases of the Moon in order starting with the New Moon. Please create a way to remember each stage.

Example: Waxing Crescent- Wax on Wan off

Also, during which Moon phase can a lunar eclipse occur? Explain why.