ECLIPSES

 Lunar vs. Solar Eclipse-  

Why do they occur?  What did ancient people used to think the eclipse was? 

Go to the link below to read what the ancient societies thought about the occurrences of an eclipse. 

Ancient Histories of Eclipses

Eclipses Have Changed History

Historical Eclipses

Visit www.BrainPop.co.uk and log in.  Watch the video on Eclipses.  What causes them?  What is a lunar and solar eclipse?

Check out when the next eclipse will be.
Which type of eclipse occurs most often?  Why?  Are eclipses seen from every point on Earth?

Visit NASA’s Eclipse site: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse.html to find out if and when there will be an eclipse this year and how often they occur. How do we view an eclipse? Does everyone get to see it? When will it rise? Is it dangerous? When is the next eclipse?  What type is it?  

Safe Eclipse Viewing (Use this website to answer the questions below-You will need to scroll down once you are on the page.)
What are the dangers of viewing an eclipse?  What safe ways are used to view an eclipse?

MOON PHASES

Moon Phases Lab

Guiding Question: What are the phases of the moon?  Why do they occur?

For this activity we will use the simulation below as well as the flashlight and Moon model in class to find out the answer to this question. 



For the model, place the flashlight about 30 cm from Earth.
Place the moon between Earth and the sun.
Observe the moon as if you were standing on Earth.
Sketch the appearance of the moon in your notebook from four point positions, each 1/4 of the way in revolution around the Earth.
Move the moon 1/4 of the way around Earth in a counterclockwise direction.
Sketch your observations.  Do the same with the moon 1/2 of the way around and 3/4 of the way around Earth.
Place the moon again between Earth and the sun.
Observe Earth and the moon from "space" (a position directly above Earth, moon, and sun).
Record your observations of the moon.  Move the moon 1/4 of the way around Earth in a counterclockwise direction. Record your observations of the moon around the Earth. Do the same for 1/2 of the way around Earth and 3/4 of the way around Earth.

Now, go to the simulation activity below:  
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/animations/lps.html

In your blog post: 

Reflect about the various ways we explored the phases of the moon to help us to understand how they occur.
 When investigating the simulation, the moon clock, and/or the model, what did you notice about the phases of the moon?  Why do we see different parts of the moon each night?

How well did making a model help you understand the phases of the moon? What are some disadvantages of using models?

Scientists are thinking all the time about how they can make models of objects that are too small or too large to see:  Can you think of another way to make a model to represent the various phases of the moon?  

What is a lunar month?

Now, after you have finished with these observations and your conclusions:  Go to BrainpopUK and sign in.  Watch the video about The Moon.  In class, you will receive one sheet to fill in which you will place in your notebook.

Extension (see the above blog post):  What causes an eclipse to occur?  How do the moon, sun and Earth interact to cause so many things to occur?  What causes an eclipse and tide?

Reasons for the Seasons Activity

Reasons for the Seasons Model Activity

After completing the Reasons for the Seasons blog post and lab activity, visit this website  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/07/season.html.

Read through it as a review and as you get to the Family Xpedition you will see a link called Cosmic Map (this is a short 4 question quiz for you) :)