Our Moon’s Phases 4

The Moon appears differently each night because we are seeing differing amounts of its ½
illuminated side. The time it appears in the sky, and where in the sky it is, depends on the relative
positions between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

The Figure at right illustrates an

observer at the equator at noon as
seen from above. Noon

1. Sketch and label the position of an

observerat sunset, midnight, and
sunrise on the figure below (not the
one at right).

Position A D

3. Refer to the figure above to answer the following questions. If the Sun and Moon are on
opposite sides of Earth (position D), what time does the Moon appear highest in the sky?
Circle one: Noon Sunset Midnight Sunrise

4. If the Moon is at position D, what time can an observer on the spinning Earth first see the Moon
rising above the horizon?
Circle one: Noon Sunset Midnight Sunrise

5. If the Moon is at position D, what time can an observer on the spinning Earth see the Moon
setting below the western horizon?
Circle one: Noon Sunset Midnight Sunrise

6. The moon is visible in the sky for about 12 hours as the Earth turns underneath it. If the Moon
is first visible at Noon (position B), then what time will it be highest in the sky (over the
observer)?
Circle one: Noon Sunset Midnight Sunrise
Active Learning Tutorials for Astronomy & Space Science - Moon Phases 1
7. If the Moon is first visible at Noon (position B), then what time will it disappear from view (set)?
Circle one: Noon Sunset Midnight Sunrise

When wondering about the Moon at position D—with the Earth between the Sun and Moon—our
brain naturally jumps to the conclusion that we won’t be able to see the Moon because it is in Earth’s
shadow. Your brain is right; however, only rarely is the Earth DIRECTLY between. Most often, the
Moon at position D is slightly above or below Earth’s shadow.

8. How much Moon’s Position Fraction of Moon’s Surface Sketch Appearance of What time does
(what fraction) of Illuminated by Sun Moon from Earth the Moon rise?
the Moon’s
surface is A
illuminated when
it is at each
position?
B

8. Two astronomers are arguing about what time the full moon can be seen.
Astronomer Pat: The full moon occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from
the Sun. The full moon rises when the Sun sets and then sets with the Sun becomes visible.
Astronomer Chris: That doesn’t make any sense. Each night, the Moon starts out as a thin
sliver on the Eastern horizon and is full by the time it sets.
With which astronomer do you agree with and why? Explain.

2 © 2023 CAPER
 Frequency of Eclipses 5
Eclipses are rare events where the shining Sun is blocked by our Moon for a few minutes or when
Earth blocks sunlight from illuminating the full moon for a few hours. Let’s consider which
positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth allow for eclipses from an overhead, top-view perspective.

1. The figure below shows various positions of the Moon orbiting Earth as seen from above, called
a top-view. LABEL the positions where (i) a FULL MOON occurs (when people on Earth can see the
entire sunlit half) and where (ii) a NEW MOON occurs (where we cannot see any of the sunlit half).

2. The table below lists the dates of the moons for 2015. Why does the full moon look different on
April 4 and September 28, when a lunar eclipse is occurring?

Feb Mar Apr 4 May June July July Aug Sep28 Oct Nov Dec
Full 18 5 Eclipse 4 2 2 31 29 Eclipse 27 25 25
Moon
Dates

3. Describe what is happening with the Sun, Moon, and Earth on these other dates, that is NOT
happening April 4, 2015 and September 28, 2015?

Your brain really wants monthly moon phases to be caused by Earth blocking sunlight from
hitting the Moon, but moon phases are instead caused by how much of the lit side of the Moon
we can see from Earth. HOWEVER, in this rare case of eclipses, the blocking of sunlight really is
what is happening, and you should congratulate your brain for its correct thinking!

Active Learning Tutorials for Astronomy & Space Science - Moon Phases 3
The figure below shows how the plane of the Moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted with respect to
the plane of Earth’s orbit. This causes the Moon to sometimes be above the plane of Earth’s
orbit—and sometimes below. The Moon’s orbit is tilted about 5° from Earth’s orbit.

4. In the space at below, describe how the position of the Full Moon is different on June 2, 2015
compared to its different position three months later on September 28, 2015?
September
2015

June
2015

Eclipse not possible,

Moon not on line of nodes
Eclipse possible, Moon above Earth’s shadow
Moon on line of nodes
Full Moon in Earth’s Shadow

April
2015

5. The figure below shows side-view (cross-section) sketches of the Moon’s position on March 4,
2015. In the space provided, draw the Moon’s position on July 2 and December 25, 2015.

March 4, 2015 July 2, 2015 December 25, 2015

  
   

Side-View

6. Consider the discussion between two astronomers.

Astronomer Pat: Eclipses occur every month when Earth gets between the Sun and Moon,
but we can’t often see it because it happens on the other side of the Earth from where we
are.
Astronomer Chris: I disagree. I think eclipses only occur in some months because the
Moon’s orbit is inclined and doesn’t often perfectly line up with Earth’s orbit.
With which astronomer do you agree with? (Circle one) Pat Chris

7. What is the likelihood of getting a lunar eclipse on the Full Moon of March 23, 2016? Explain
your reasoning by referring to the Figure in Question 4 above. Make sketches if necessary.

4 © 2023 CAPER
 Earth’s Tides 6
Most coast lines on Earth experience two high tide periods every day, about
12 ½ hours apart. A high tide period is where the ocean reaches its highest
level on to the land. This is followed by the ocean level falling to lower and
lower levels until it barely comes on to the land at all, called low tide. Low
tide occurs about 6 ¼ hours after high tide. Then, the process reverses itself
and the ocean moves toward a high tide period.
 High Tide


If you think that this might have something to do with the Moon, which
passes overhead about every 12 hours and 51 minutes, you’d be right!

Low Tide

1. The figure at right shows a truck carrying a giant fishbowl full of water. If the truck is driving in
a straight line then suddenly stops, which of the two people will get wet when the water sloshes
out? (circle the person)

2. The next figure shows an overhead view of another truck quickly turning a corner. This truck
also carries a giant fish bowl of water, and four people stand around the bowl on spots marked
with an “×”. Of the four people shown standing around the water-filled bowl, who gets wet? (circle
the person)

3. The general principle used to figure out where the water goes is called INERTIA. Create a
definition of INERTIA in your own words in the space below.

Let’s consider our Earth and Moon. As it turns out, gravitational attraction causes the Moon to pull
on Earth, just like Earth pulls on the Moon. The end result is that Earth swings back and forth with
the Moon’s orbit, as illustrated on the next page, around a common center of mass.

Active Learning Tutorials for Astronomy & Space Science - Moon Phases 5
4. On the figure below showing a top-view of the Moon orbiting Earth, sketch a small bulge where
Earth’s water is sloshed outward by inertia as the Moon and Earth twirl around.

5. At the same time on the other side of Earth, the gravitational attraction between the Moon and
water on Earth nearest the Moon causes another bulge of water to lift upward away from Earth’s
surface. Sketch in this second bulge on the figure above.

6. Two astronomers are discussing the frequency of high tides on Earth.

Astronomer Pat: If there are two tidal bulges on Earth—one on the side nearest the Moon
and one on the opposite side farthest from the Moon—that means that everywhere on
Earth experiences two high tides each month as the Moon orbits Earth.
Astronomer Chris: I disagree. The Moon takes an entire month to orbit Earth, but while this
is going on, Earth is very quickly spinning on its axis every day, spinning about 30 times in
one month. That means that Earth spins underneath the tidal water bulges, passing
through one about every 12 hours—or twice a day.
With which astronomer do you agree with? Circle one: Pat Chris

7. The high-tide-to-low-tide-to-high-tide cycle takes about 12 hours and 25 minutes. Why isn’t
this cycle precisely 12-hours long?

8. Pluto spins about once every 6 days and has a large moon that orbits also in about 6 days. What
would tides be like on Pluto if it had them? Use sketches to illustrate your answer.

6 © 2023 CAPER