Investigating the Sun-Earth-Moon System Name: Block: Phases of the Moon The changing face of the Moon has fascinated humankind for millennia. Thousands of songs, stories, and poems have been written about the nature of the Moon, its changing shape, and its light bathing the nighttime landscape. The Moon’s periodic cycle is a fundamental system that has profoundly affected our world and many of the organisms that inhabit it. As you proceed in this part of the unit, keep the following essential question in mind: Why does the appearance of the Moon change during its orbit around Earth? First thoughts—Making Claims As we begin, let’s start with making some claims about the rotation of the Sun and the Moon. I bet you’re pretty confident about some of these questions already, but it’s OK not to know the “answer” or to be unsure about a claim. Just use your best judgment.

1. Is it possible to determine at what time of day the photo on the right was taken?

2. What information would we need to know?

3. What causes the appearance of the Moon to change each night?

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Investigating the Sun-Earth-Moon System Name: Block:

4. Read FYI: Changing Your Perspective—Looking at Moon Phases As you read use the spaces below to write down any information you find especially interesting. Also define the bold terms used in the text. If you run across any other words that you don’t know the meaning of, write those down and ask your teacher to help you with them. Word/Term Definition Full Moon

New Moon

Crescent Phases

Gibbous Phases

First Quarter

Last Quarter (Third Quarter)

Extra space for additional words or interesting information.

5. How much of the Moon do we see when it is in its “new” phase?

6. Where would you look in the sky to see a first quarter moon at 6pm (sunset)?

Investigating the Sun-Earth-Moon System Name: Block:

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Investigating the Sun-Earth-Moon System Name: Block: