Your Lunar Log

Science Semester: Your Lunar Log

Revised 4/20/2004

In connection with the investigation on horseshoe crabs, we will be studying the phases of the moon. As preparation for that study, you will be asked to keep track of the phases of the moon for an extended period of time. This webpage describes the rationale for, and the details of, the classroom activity which is based on fairly extensive science education research. It first describes the investigation or problem you will be dealing with, and then describes in some detail the observations of the moon that you should be doing.

For any particular course year, a separate email will be specifying some dates which will be used in connection with this activity:

PRELIMINARY LUNAR LOG DUE DATE: You will need to turn in a lunar log after observing the moon for approximately one week. If you use this activity in your own classes I strongly recommend that you collect preliminary lunar logs. This recommendation is based on experience. Turn in one copy of your preliminary lunar log; keep a second copy.

FINAL LUNAR LOG DUE DATE: On this date you will turn in all of your observations of the moon. Turn in one copy of your lunar log; keep a second copy for use in class.

CLASS DISCUSSION DATE: On this date, which may be the same as the final lunar log due date, you will solve the problem, using your data.

SHAPE OF THE MOON PROBLEM

Your principal has been approached by representatives of the Flat Earth Society who wish you to teach an alternative explanation of the phases of the moon. They believe that the moon is shaped like a flat white disc, and that the phases of the moon result when the white disc rotates. We will call their explanation the flat-moon model. When word gets out of the flat-earthers' claims, another group approaches your principal with their explanation of lunar phases. The contend that the phases of the moon are produced when the moon moves into the earth's shadow. This explanation can be called the eclipse model. These models are both in contrast with the standard textbook explanation, in which the moon's motion around the earth is responsible for the lunar phases. We'll call this the orbiting moon model.

Your principal has asked you, the science curriculum supervisor (or, if you cannot visualize yourself as a school teacher, as a member of the school's parent-teacher association) to respond to the Flat Earthers. Because the flat earthers do not believe in the authority of the Federal Government, your principal insists that your arguments be based on actual observations that anyone can obtain for themselves, such as your lunar log. Your job is to demonstrate, on the basis of your observations, which model is correct. When the time comes to do this in class, you will be given some help, and some physical models to use.

LUNAR LOG WORKSHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS

Purpose of this activity: Research with my classes and with other people's classes has shown that actual observation of the moon can significantly enhance your understanding of where the earth is in space, and why common astronomical phenomena such as the phases of the moon occur. However, experience has also shown that many students have serious difficulty in making observations of the moon over the sustained period of time that is needed in order to see changes (one month). Previous experience has shown that many students do their "observing" over the internet - explaining the need for some of the columns in the table below.

Instructions:

Every night that it is clear, you should observe the moon. When the moon is no longer in the night sky you should observe the moon in the morning, preferably before dawn but at least before 11 AM, if the activity is scheduled to go on that long. Each time you observe the moon you should draw a little picture of its appearance and note what direction you are facing (recall that the sun sets in the west). You should also note the weather conditions (clouds or lack of clouds) and anything else you see, such as bright planets near the moon.

If it is not clear enough to see the moon, record that fact. If it is clear enough to see the moon and you did not see the moon, record that fact. If you are uncertain as to when the moon is above the horizon, consult an almanac or – if you really can’t find this information on the internet – ask your instructor. Some times the moon is visible in the evening sky and some time it is visible in the morning sky.

For at least two of your observations in the first week, and for at least two of your observations thereafter, I would like someone other than yourself to authenticate that you actually made the observations. If there is not enough room for both in the box, use your judgement as to where to put the signature.

I will ask for original records of your observations of the moon. If you keep your records in your day-timer, I want a xerox copy of your day-timer, and I reserve the right to ask to examine the original. If the table below is not your original records, I'd like the original records and a copy of the table. I reserve the right to take other actions necessary in order to ensure that you actually made these observations.

Preliminary Lunar Log

Name: _______________ E-mail address: ____________

Date	Time of day	Picture of Moon and direction you face to see it (for example, west)	Weather conditions; remarks	Authentication: printed name and signature (see below)
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	_____________________
___	____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________

(Use additional pages as necessary. Please feel free to develop your own form, as long as it has all of the information that is given above.)

When you turn in your preliminary lunar log, keep two copies.

FINAL Lunar Log

Name: _______________ E-mail address: ____________

When you turn in your final lunar log, you should ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR PRELIMINARY LUNAR LOG TO IT.

Date	Time of day	Picture of Moon and direction you face to see it (for example, west)	Weather conditions; remarks	Authentication: printed name and signature (see below)
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________
___	_____	_____________	_______________________	___________________

(Use additional pages as necessary. Please feel free to develop your own form, as long as it has all of the information that is given above.)

This web page developed by Harry Shipman (harrys@udel.edu)