michael's marvelous moon machine
i didn't know what time it was
First, you must learn how to tell "time" with the moon finder.
1) cut out the bottom portion and place it on the part marked (a)
2) rotate the earth CCW so that Ms. Observer says ---
- a) the sun is rising
- b) it is about 10 a.m.
- c) it is noon
- d) it is 3 p.m.
- e) it is sunset
- f) it is 10 p.m.
- g) it is midnite
- h) it is 3 a.m.
If you cannot perform these tasks -- do not go any further. You must learn
how to use the sun / eastern / western horizons as a reference points to "tell time."
the cow jumped over the moon . . .
Place a coin on various orbital position (dots).
Rotate earth so that the moon is seen rising -- just off the eastern horizon.
- What time of day would this be ?
- Is the moon to the right or left of the sun ?
- Is the moon's right or left side lighted ?
Now place the coin so the moon is rising . . .
- a) when the sun is rising
- b) it is about 10 a.m.
- c) it is noon
- d) it is 3 p.m.
- e) it is sunset
- f) it is 10 p.m.
- g) it is midnite
- h) it is 3 a.m.
What is unique about situations (a) and (b) ?
angles and lines
Mentally construct lines connecting the Sun-Earth-Moon.
Can the angle of intersection ever be . . . .
- a) zero degrees ?
- b) an acute angle ?
- c) an obtuse angle ?
- d) a right angle ?
- e) a straight angle ?
- f) more than 180 & less than 270 ?
moon phases
- g) more than 270 ?
h) more than 270 ?
List the phases of the moon in sequence starting with a . . . .
New Moon;
putting it all together -- constructivism
Name the phase of the moon and list the Sun-Earth-Moon angle when the moon
rises . . .
------------------------------ PHASE ---------- S-E-M Angle
- with the sun
- around 10 a.m.
- at noon-ish
- at 3 p.m.
- when the sun sets
- around 10 p.m.
- around midnite
- around 3 a.m.
- with the sun
Rise and Shine
Make a diagram to show why the moon comes up at a different time each day.
- moon moves 12 degrees
- CCW each day
- earth rotates 360 degrees
+ 12 degrees to 'catch up'
and the moon is
seen rising again
- so the moon rises
about every 25 hrs
basic moon observer's rules
you can't see the
moon if you aren't
looking at it !
it is above the horizon for about half the day. Figuring out "which half" is the problem.
Cognitive Patterns
Did you notice how these sheets were 'designed' to aid and abet your personal constructivism ?
All the (a) questions ARE THE SAME; all the (b) questions ARE THE SAME . . . etc. But each 'series' of a-b-c questions takes you to a new level of understanding moon phases.
"Geez - thanx dr. leyden !"
"Dah, think nothing of it. Just doing my job."
10 / 15s / 95
12 / 7r / 95