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Image Credit: NASA
Published: July 25, 2023

Spend the next month getting to know the Moon.

Set aside some time each day to look at the Moon. Record your observations in the log provided. Once you have completed your observations for the whole month, answer the questions below.

Questions:

  1. Did the Moon look the same each day? If not, describe how it changed throughout the month.
  2. Did you see the Moon at the same time each day? Was there a pattern to the time you were able to observe it? If so, describe the pattern.
  3. Did anything prevent you from being able to see the Moon this month? If so, what? Could you figure out what the Moon would have looked like if you could have seen it? If so, how?
  4. Look up information on the phases of the Moon and indicate in your Moon Observation Journal where you think the Moon most closely matched each of the following phases:
    Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, and New Moon.
  5. How do you think the Moon’s appearance will change during the next week?
  6. What questions do you have about the Moon or eclipses? See if you can find answers and then share what you learn with your friends and family.

Some places you can find information about the Moon and its connection to planetary science and exploration are:

ENLARGE

2024 Eclipse Edition Available!

Observers in the Americas: Begin a month of lunar observations, starting with the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024!

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