Lunar Cycle

TAKS Objective 5

The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth and Space systems.

TEKS 8.12 (A)

analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar and rock cycles.

True or False

The phases of the Moon happen when the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon’s surface.

False

The side of the Moon that is facing the Sun is always lit except during a lunar eclipse.

True or False

The Moon only shines at night.

False

Except close to New Moon, when the Sun is too bright for the Moon to be seen, and Full Moon, the Moon can be seen during certain times of every day.

Objectives

1. The student will be able to analyze and predict the phases of the Moon.

2. The student will be able to determine which part of the Moon can be seen from Earth during each phase.

3. The student will be able to predict the rising and setting of various phases of the Moon.

Lunar Cycle

The moon cycles every 29.5 days

The appearance of the moon is based on the alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon

Phases of the Moon

Crescent Moon

Phases of the Moon

First Quarter

Phases of the Moon

Full Moon

Phases of the Moon

Third/Last Quarter

Phases of the Moon

New Moon

Waxing and Waning

The terms waxing and waning are used to indicate whether or not the phase of the Moon is getting larger – going from new Moon to full Moon or getting smaller – going from full Moon to new Moon.

A waxing Moon (getting larger) is moving away from the Sun’s position each day and a waning Moon (getting smaller) is moving toward the Sun’s position each day.

Day 1Day 2

Day 6

Day 28

Day 27

Day 23Sun

Earth

What do you think the word, gibbous means?

ENGAGE

Wax on and wane off song and dance

Show “The Terminator and Luna Tick newscast”

Explore

Analyzing a Moon Phase Calendar

Explain1. What pattern do you see in the first week

of moon phases?

2. What pattern do you see in the second week of moon phases?

3. What pattern do you see in the third week of moon phases?

4. What pattern do you see in the fourth week of moon phases?

5. What is the difference between the second week and third week?

Explain Continued

6. What pattern do you see concerning the lit side of the moon between the first and fourth week?

7. Does this same pattern hold true in the second and third week?

8. From your study of the patterns found in the phases of the moon predict what phase will be found on the 28th day of the month. Shade in the moon on your calendar.

Elaborate

Using a Moon Clock to Tell Time.

Evaluate

Observe the following pattern

Predict which of the pictures would be next in the lunar cycle?

A DCB

Credits

Crescent Moon – www.astrocalculator.com First Quarter moon – www.hjsv.com

Full Moon - www.lightascension.com

Third/Last Quarter Moon – www.bryanbradley.com

New Moon – scott.k12.va.us