AST201L

NAME & USERNAME: SECTION: LAB 5 MOON PHASES INTRODUCTION Because of Moon’s orbital motion around the Earth, the Moon goes through cycles of phases every month (see Figure 5.1). Long before we understand the modern scientific explanations, Indigenous People and every culture around the world already knew how to track these phases and utilize the phases for many life purposes such as time keeping, farming, seasonal weather changes. Many cultures have one-year-long complicated calendars based on lunar phases. Navajo culture even has a daily calendar that is based on the Moon phases, and you will learn a little of that in this lab. For this lab, you will track the Moon phases for a week by using a smart phone with a camera (or just a camera), and you will need to find time to make short observations of the Moon after sunset. Make plans early on to carry out your observations. You cannot carry out all of this lab the night before it is due! LEARNING GOALS The points below are the expected topics to understand by the end of this lab period. Remember to review these points before completing the lab. If you do not understand one, review the steps that cover it and discuss with your instructor.  Determine the difference of Moonrise times each day  Observe and determine the phases of the Moon on different nights  Learn the significance of Navajo daily Moon phase calendar LAB5-1 Figure 5.1: Astronomical Phases of the Moon. The Moon's appearance cycles counterclockwise through these stages in about a month's time (image from moonconnection.com).

NAME & USERNAME: SECTION: STEP 1: MOONRISE AND MOONSET TIMES 1. Find the Moonrise and Moonset times for Flagstaff at www.timeanddate.com/moon/usa/flagstaff . Your instructor will tell you the appropriate dates to record for this lab. If you are not in Flagstaff, simply go to the same website and change the location to where you are. Note that if the Moon sets after midnight, the website will assign it to the date for the next day! 1. [2pt] Find the Sunset times for Flagstaff at www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/flagstaff . Also record the times in the table below. Use this information below to help you observe the Moon after the Sun sets and it is dark enough outside. Date Time of Moonrise Time of Sunset Time of Moonset Minutes between the Moonrises 2 nd 8:16 pm 6:09pm 11:13am(3 rd ) - 3 rd 8:58pm 6:07pm 12:18pm(4 th ) 36 minutes 4 th 9:46pm 6:06pm 1:16pm(5 th ) 58 minutes 5 th 10:40pm 6:04pm 2:07pm(6 th ) 51 minutes 6 th 11:37pm 6:03pm 2:49pm(7 th ) 32 minutes 7 th 12:37am(8 th ) 6:02pm 3:25pm(8 th ) 36 minutes 8 th 1:36am(9 th ) 6:00pm 3:55pm(9 th ) 59 minutes 9 th 2:35am(10 th ) 5:59pm 4:22pm(10 th ) 27 minutes 10 th 3:33am(11 th ) 5:58pm 4:46pm(11 th ) 24 minutes LAB5-2