Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deadline for submission:

Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday 15 December 2017, 4pm
Keele Card Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Problems Box, Lennard-Jones Building

PHY-10027: The Solar System

Observing the Moon Project

Introduction

The Moon is our our only natural satellite and nearest neighbour in space. The Moon is constantly
changing its appearance; perpetually cycling through a series of phases. To the unaided eye, the
Moon’s surface appears mottled with irregular patches of grey amid splashes of white.

This is a term-long project, running through the semester with a deadline at the end of Week 12. You
will need to give it a few minutes attention for a few days during that period, record your observations
and then answer the questions. This project is not something that can be left until the last week!

You should observe the Moon every few days, when the weather allows, but the sky does not need
to be totally clear. You will need to make six observations on different days. You should obtain
at least one observation around the time of Full Moon, when you also need to estimate
the angular diameter of the Moon (see page 6). Please record your observations overleaf. Each
time you see the Moon you should record the following:

1. Your location, date and time.

2. Approximate position in the sky (e.g. low in the west, high in the south, etc.)
3. Draw a sketch of the Moon’s appearance, recording the position of the light and dark areas, and
name the phase (i.e. crescent, gibbous, quarter, full, etc.)

Phases of the Moon

The following table gives the dates of the principal phases of the Moon, which you may find useful
for determining when the Moon is visible. Do not just attempt to observe the Moon on these
dates!

Phases of the Moon 2017

New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter
October 5 October 12
October 19 October 27 November 4 November 10
November 18 November 26 December 3 December 10
December 18

If the Moon is near first quarter or full, you will be able to make your observations in the early or
late evening. When the Moon is past full Moon or near 3rd quarter, you will have to make your
observations either late at night or in the early morning. Note that the Moon is sometimes visible
during daytime, try to make at least one observation during the day.

1
Observations of the Moon
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2
Observations of the Moon (continued)

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Phase:

3
Questions

By making reference to your observations, describe how the Moon’s phase changes from night to night.

On any given day, what direction does the Moon appear to move in the sky?

Over a period of several days and at the same time of day, what direction does the Moon appear to
move in the sky?

What causes the Moon’s phases? Explain the variation in lunar phases with diagrams and words.

4
Map of the Moon

Combine your individual sketches to produce a “map of the Moon” showing features that are visible
on the surface.

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Using your “map of the Moon”, describe the appearance of the surface. What are the light and dark
patches?

5
Measuring the Angular Diameter of the Full Moon

Astronomers measure the angular separation and size of objects in degrees, which is denoted by the
degree ◦ symbol. For example, as there are 360◦ in a circle, the angular separation from the horizon
to the zenith (the point directly overhead) is 90◦ . Hence, halfway up from the horizon to the zenith
is 45◦ .
In order to estimate angular sizes we do not need to use complex measuring devices. Our hands and
fingers are a remarkably accurate, and convenient, measuring device:

The width of your little finger at arm’s length is approximately 1◦

The width of your index finger at arm’s length is approximately 1 21 ◦

The width of a closed fist at arm’s length is approximately 10◦

Note: In order to achieve consistent results, keep your arm outstretched as much as possible while
using this method.
Using your fingers, estimate the Angular Diameter of the Full Moon. For example, does the Moon
appear bigger or smaller than your little finger, and by how much?

Please, also, record the following details:

Date Time Location