Lunar Phases Lab
The NAAP Lunar Phases Lab demonstrates how the earth-sun-moon geometry gives rise to the phases of the moon as seen from earth. A distant view of an observer looking down on earth as well as a perspective of an observer looking into the sky are used in the the simulator.
First time users of NAAP materials should read the NAAP Labs – General Overview page.
Details and resources for this lab – including demonstration guides, in-class worksheets, and technical documents – can be found on the instructor's page. Some resources are not available for all modules.
Lunar Phase Simulator Student Guide (pdf)
- Background Page 1
- Background Page 2
- Background Page 3
- Background Page 4
- Background Page 5
- Background Page 6
- Moon Bisector Demo [swf]
- Lunar Phase Simulator [swf]
- Moon Phases and the Horizon Diagram [swf]