You will perform observations for this lab experiment on your own over the next 14 days.
3) You will need to select two times per day separated by 12 hours when you will have time to
make your observations. For instance you could observe at noon and midnight, at 6:00 am
and 6:00 pm, or at 10:15 am and 10:15 pm. It is important that you make these observations
at the same time each day.
4) You will need to find an observation spot to make these observations. It should have a clear
view of the sky and should be convenient and safe to get to every 12 hours for the next two
weeks.
5) At your observation spot, determine the direction of north, south, east, and west.
6) You will need to determine the elevation and azimuth of the Sun and the Moon. The
elevation of the Moon is the angle of the Moon above the Horizon. The Azimuth of the
Moon is the direction toward the point on the horizon closest to the Moon. Take North to be
0 degrees, East to be 90 degrees, South to be 180 degrees, and West to be 270 degrees. For
reference, if you hold your fist out at arm’s length it will cover about 10 degrees.
7) For each of the next 14 days go to your observation spot at each of your two observing times
and record the following information in a table.
1) The date and time
2) How cloudy the sky is
3) Whether the Sun is visible and if so its azimuth and elevation
4) Whether the Moon is visible and if so its azimuth and elevation
5) The phase of the Moon (new, full, crescent, or gibbous) and its orientation (i.e. which
side is the crescent on)
How often could you see the Moon? Did you see it twice in the same day?
2) How far did the Moon move across the sky in 14 days?
3) How much does the phase of the Moon change in 14 days?
4) Seen at the same time and place each day, does the Moon move toward the east or west from
day to day?
5) Seen at the same time and place each day, does the Sun move in the sky? How much?
