Name: Period: Date:

Astronomy Moon Phases Lab Partners:

Role:

Problem: How does the alignment of the Moon, Earth and Sun cause the various phases of the Moon that we see? Pre-Lab Question: Does the shadow stay in the same location on the Moon? Materials: Flashlight 2½” Styrofoam Ball 3” Styrofoam Ball 2 #2 pencils Procedures: 1. Assign a member of your group to pick up the materials for this activity 2. Using your materials place each ball on a pencil and assign members of the group to be the Earth and Moon 3. Assign a member of your group to be the Sun using the flashlight 4. Determine the alignment that will produce the shadows we see in the following Moon phases.

Name: Period: Date:

Data: On a separate sheet of paper diagram the locations of Earth, Moon and Sun for each of the eight phases shown. Data Analysis: Using your observations determine if the moon orbits the earth in a clockwise or counter clockwise motion? Explain your reasoning.

Conclusion: What did you observe in the Lab? What were you able to determine based on your data? How does this relate to everyday life? What new questions have come to mind while participating in the lab?