Handout+on+the+orbit+of+the+moon

Follow the directions below to learn more about how the moon orbits the Earth. It takes the moon about 28 days to make it all the way around the Earth once.

1. Click "Animate" to watch the Moon orbit the Earth. Notice that the moon is only light on the side of it that faces the Sun.

2. Change the Point of View to "Both". The new view shows you what the moon looks like from Earth. Now hit stop and type 0.50 into the Moon Phase box. Then press Enter. This is the New Moon. What do we see from Earth. Why do you think that is? Write down your response.

3. Now type in 0.75 and look at the First Quarter Moon. Describe what you see. Write down your response.

4. Type in 1.00 to see the full moon. Why do you think you can see the whole moon from this position? Write down your answer.

5. Type in 0.25 to see the Last Quarter Moon. What other phase does this moon look like? Write down your answer.

6. Hit Animate again. Then hit stop a few times to look at the moon at different times in its orbit. What do you notice? Write down some of your observations.