Observing the Moon
What tool can help us see the Moon better?
A telescope helps us see the Moon better because it makes it look bigger and clearer.
What shape is the Moon when it's full?
When it's full, the Moon is completely round and bright.
What does it mean to collect data about the Moon?
Collecting data about the Moon means writing down what we see, like its shape and size, each night.
How do we find patterns in our Moon data?
We look at the information we wrote down to see if the Moon’s shape changes in a regular way.
What phase comes after a full moon?
After a full moon, it starts to shrink into a waning gibbous moon.
How does the Moon look different from night to night?
The Moon can look bigger or smaller and change shape because of its phases.
What is a crescent moon?
A crescent moon is when only a small, curved edge of the Moon is lit up and visible.
What should we write down when we look at the Moon?
We should write down the date, time, and what shape the Moon is each night.
How can a calendar help us with Moon data?
A calendar helps us track the days so we can see how long it takes for the Moon to go through all its phases.
Can we predict when we'll see a new moon?
Yes, by tracking the phases, we can predict when the next new moon will happen, usually every 29.5 days.
What happens during a lunar eclipse?
During a lunar eclipse, Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and Earth's shadow makes the Moon look dark.
What does a new moon look like?
A new moon is when the Moon is completely dark and not visible from Earth.
Why is it important to observe the Moon at the same time every night?
Observing at the same time helps keep our data consistent, so our pattern predictions are more accurate.
What does analyzing Moon data tell us?
Analyzing Moon data helps us understand how often the phases change and predict when they will happen again.
What phase comes before a new moon?
The phase before a new moon is a waning crescent, which is a thin and shrinking crescent shape.
Why can we sometimes see the Moon during the day?
We can see the Moon during the day because it is in the sky at the same time as the Sun sometimes, depending on its orbit.
what is a waxing moon?
A waxing moon is when the Moon is getting bigger in the sky, moving from a new moon towards a full moon.
How can drawing pictures help us collect data about the Moon?
Drawing pictures of the Moon’s shape helps us remember and record how it changes over time.
How does knowing the Moon's phases help us predict tides?
Knowing the Moon’s phases helps predict tides because the position of the Moon affects how strong the tides are.
What phase comes after a new moon?
After a new moon, the Moon enters the waxing crescent phase, starting to show a sliver of light again.
What is the darkest phase of the Moon?
The darkest phase of the Moon is the new moon, when it’s completely invisible from Earth.
What is a gibbous moon?
A gibbous moon is when more than half but not all of the Moon is lit up and visible, either shrinking (waning) or growing (waxing).
How can we use technology to collect data about the Moon?
We can use apps or websites to track the Moon’s phases and compare what we see with what the technology shows.
What pattern does the Moon follow over a month?
Over a month, the Moon follows a pattern from new moon, to crescent, to quarter, to gibbous, and to full moon, then back again.
How can we predict a full moon?
By tracking the Moon’s cycle, we know a full moon appears about every 29.5 days, halfway through the lunar cycle.