We found out that the moon acts like a mirror and reflects the sun. If the moon gave off its own light, it would always look like a full moon (which would make the wolves very happy!) We looked at a glow in the dark basketball and saw that it always looked like a full moon. We also tested a styrofoam ball (which did not give off its own light) and we were able to see all the phases of the moon!
When the moon appears to be getting bigger, the right side is lit and it is called
When the moon appears to be getting smaller, the left side is lit and it is called
Check out how the moon appears to be changing shape created by the Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project. Click on + days to see how the moon appears as it goes through its cycle of about 29 days.
We also explored why we have seasons. It is all because of the earth's tilt! Check out this simulation from Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project!
Try this at home to see the moon phases.
Use a pencil, a styrofoam ball (you can use a different white ball, but you will need to figure out how to attach it to the pencil), and a lamp.
Attach the ball to the pencil and put the lamp outside the door of a darkened room (I used a bathroom that had no windows and the hall light.) Hold the ball a bit over your head in front of you.
Keeping the ball directly in front of you, slowly turn around. Watch as the shadow changes and a different part of the ball is "lit" up with reflected light.
When you look out of your room, the ball is dark. It becomes fully lit when your back is to the doorway (be sure to howl with delight when you see this!)
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