Observing the Moon

Observation Assignment, due Friday, Apr. 2^nd, 2010

Over the next two weeks the Moon will be visible in the sky in the early evening hours (just after sunset). Over the same period the phase of the Moon—how much of it is lit by the Sun—will be growing to the Full Moon on March 29^th.

Your assignment is to observe the Moon four times on four different days and each time to record:

1. The date
2. The time
3. The altitude of the Moon (how high it is in the sky)
4. The direction you have to look (North, South, East or West)
5. How the Moon looks with a drawing

The idea is for you to observe the how the Moon’s phase and position change over time. Record all observations in your Observation Notebook.

Hint: Try to make each observation of the Moon at the same time of day.

Below: The phases of the Moon.

New	Waxing Crescent	First Quarter	Waxing Gibbous	Full	Waning Gibbous	Third Quarter	Waning Crescent	New