Moon Phases

Lesson 5

1.Could the Decepticons (Evil Transformers) hide from us on the moon.

2.Is there a “Dark Side of the Moon”?

Two questions to consider:

Relative Sizes of the SEM System• Sun = 1,392,000 km

(109 Earths wide)(391 Moons wide)

• Earth = 12,756 km• Moon = 3500 km

(¼ Earths wide)

Relative Distances of the SEM System• Earth to Moon =

384,000 km • Earth to Sun =

150,000,000 km

Earth to Sun =100 cm

Earth to Moon = 1/4 cm

Geometry of the SEM System

Set up for Inquiry 5.1You should have the clamp lamp

high enough so there are NO SHADOWS at position 5.

“Man in the Moon”

Why does the moon appear different as the days go on? (Abe’s Version)

• The Moon is always half lit by the Sun.• As the Moon orbits the Earth we can see

different portions of the lit side of the moon.• In the case of a Full Moon Phase we see

the entire side of the Moon that is lit. In the case of a New Moon Phase we don’t see any of the side of the Moon that is lit.

Waxing and Waning

Waxing means to grow larger.

Waning means to shrink.

Crescent and Gibbous

A crescent is a shape that is less than half of a circle.

A gibbous is a shape that is more than half of a circle.

“Oreo” Cookie Moon Phases

“Oreo” Cookie Moon Phases Clean Up

• Instructions – back to me• Cookie Sheet – use to study or

recycle• Paper towels, popsicle sticks and

cookie crumbs – compost (do not throw them away)

Why do we have the misconception about moon phases being caused by Earth’s shadow?

The above print is entitled “Moon Phase (Horizontal)”. What

would be a better name for this piece of art?

Are the shapes shown even possible in the

context of moon phases?