Re: Hands on activities about moon phases or expirements

Todd,

There are a couple of activities that help people achieve a greater understanding of the phases and motions of the Moon. Let's start with the phases. You'll need a strong light source to be the Sun (a desk lamp or a portable shop light like mechanics use), a light colored ball to be the Moon (a white soccer ball or a softball) and a helper. Set up the light at one side of the room and you stand in the middle of the room. Now have your assistant stand between you and the light while holding the ball just above their head. If there is too much light in the room turn off all the lights except for your "Sun". What does the ball look like? Have your assistant walk around you a little way. Now how does the "Moon" look? Keep track of the pattern of light and dark you observe as your assistant carries the "Moon" all the way around you. Can you explain the phases of the Moon now?

Now have your assistant walk around you again, making sure they always are facing you so that you can always see the same side of the ball. If you've watched the real Moon in the night sky, you're probably familiar with the face of the Man in the Moon. Since it always stays the same, what can you say about the motion of the Moon as it moves around the Earth?

Hope these activities help.

Mike Francis

http://www.gis.net/~mtf/sm.htm