NAAP Lunar Phases Lab — Pedagogical Objectives
- Identify the eight phases of the moon from a picture
- Describe the phase verbally from the name of a phase
- Identify the earth-sun-moon geometry for a given phase from the horizon or space view
For example, a student can point to the sun with one arm and with the other arm point to the approximate location of the moon.
- Given either the phase or the time of rising/meridian/setting, identify the corresponding value
For example, a student can correctly answer what phase of the moon reaches its meridional altitude at about 9 PM?
- Estimate the time interval between certain phases
- Understand that we see (approximately) only one side/half of the moon from earth
- Understand which phase and positions are necessary for solar and lunar eclipses