Astronomy
105, Fall 2011
Astronomy
101, Fall 2011
Moon
Watching
The phases and positions
of the Moon through one Lunar cycle.
Due by
December 2, 2011, 50 points
This
is a traditional observational activity assigned (well, not so much any more,
but back in the day . . . ) to beginning astronomy students. I first read of this activity being regularly
done by Dr. James Van Allen (of NASA and space science fame) at the University of Iowa
So
here is what you are to do: You will make at 10 observations of the moon over a
period of not less than 30 consecutive days.
These observations will be recorded in a log that you keep which will
have the following:
1. a drawing of the moon showing the phase,
2. the position of the moon in the sky
(estimate elevation in degrees and azimuth
as one of the 16 cardinal points on the
compass that we discussed in class),
3. your location where the observation was made,
and
4. the time
and date when the observation was
made (including AM or PM, time zone,
Daylight or Standard time.
Note! Now, just doing the bare
minimum will get you 30 of the 50 points.
If you want to get full credit, here some things you might do:
1. make very neat drawings,
2. label your drawings clearly and neatly,
3. include notes about observing conditions
(maybe even the constellation the Moon was is
at the time of observation), and
4. make more than ten observations.
