Week 3: Space: The Moon - Science Methods II (Addy Junge)

Addy Junge

Week 3: Space: The Moon

1. What did you do in lab today?​

  • At the beginning of our lab, we discussed our previous assignments from Week 1, the NDSL Strandmap, and the Private Universe. We then discussed ways we can address common misconceptions in our classroom and replace them with factual information. After that, we switched gears to the moon. We learned a little bit more about the moon phases, the rotation of the moon, and the revolution of the moon. The main topic we talked about during the lab, however, was the near side and far side of the moon. We talked in groups about what differences we noticed between the two pictures. Then we started our lab, where we would conduct experiments we thought would affect the moon's shape (craters, discoloration, etc.).
2. What was the big question?​
  • During the lab experiment, I would say the big question would be "Why does the near side of the moon (the side we see) have more and larger craters than the far side (the side we don't see)?"
3. What did you learn in Thursday’s discussion?​
  • Here are my notes from the lecture:
  •  


4. Read the online textbook, chapter 1:
  1. What did you learn?​
    • I learned a little bit more about the Moon's surface and features, such as regolith (the powdery dust and rocky debris that the Moon is covered with), Maria (the large, dark plains), and the lack of atmosphere.
  2. What was most helpful?​
    • I thought the video of the moon phases was super helpful for me to understand! Specifically, the picture below helped me see how the sunlight shines onto the Moon as well as how much sunlight. Thinking of the Earth in small pieces (like a pie chart) made me understand the amount of sunlight that was being shone onto the moon.

  3. What do you need more information on?​
    •  Although the video helped me understand the amount of sunlight the Moon gets during a specific phase, I still need some information on how the Sun sets/rises on the Moon. I am slightly confused about how many days and nights are on the Moon and why the Sun only rises once. 
5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?
  • This question has me slightly confused:
    • "Question: My daughter had a band concert last night. After the concert, Meika, Toby, and I were walking home. We were walking to the East, and they could see the moon was behind the clouds. They asked me what phase the moon was in since they couldn’t see it. What did I say? The moon was halfway between the horizon and directly above me.  Answer: Full Moon"
  • Will you always be able to tell what phase the moon is in just by looking where the moon is at? I mean, aren't you always going to be watching the moon rise and set in the same pattern? How does that have to do with the phase?

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