Moon Project NATS 1740: Astronomy

Moon Project
Purpose:

To apply the full scientific process model through independent experiential learning in the moon
observing project, from prediction, to discovery of true lunar motion through systematic observations of
the moon in the sky, to analysis of collected data, and final formulation of the theory of lunar motion to
successfully explain the observed effects.

Tasks in this Project:

• Part 1: Make a Prediction (‘Hunch Quiz’)

• Part 2: Plan the Experiment
• Part 3: Observe the Moon
• Part 4: Record the Observations
• Part 5: Answer the Questions

Important Dates:

Last digit of student number: Hunch Quiz Period Moon Observing Period Final Project Deadline
5, or 6, or 7, of 8, or 9 Oct. 1-5 Oct. 8 – Nov. 6 Nov. 7
0, or 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 Jan. 3-7 Jan. 5 – Feb. 3 Feb. 4

NOTE: projects completed and/or submitted outside of your assigned period above will receive
deductions.

What to Submit in Moodle (in the lesson module corresponding to your due-date):

• Hunch Quiz: quiz in Moodle

• Project Files to be uploaded in Moodle:

• Two photo landscapes, with a sequence of 4 Moon observations on each landscape, are to
be scanned, and uploaded online.
(files should be named LandscapeTTN and LandscapeNTN);

• Two observing logs, typed (in Word) or hand-written/scanned, and uploaded online.
(files should be named LogTTN and LogNTN each)

• Typed Responses, completed in Word and uploaded online.

(files should be named QuestionsTTN, QuestionsNTN, QuestionsConclusion)

IMPORTANT NOTE: project files should be submitted ONLY in the proper submission link in
MOODLE, and NOT by email. Emailed projects will NOT be accepted for grading.

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Part 1: Make a Prediction

Making predictions on the natural phenomena being studied – moon motion in this project
– is an important first step of the scientific process. Make sure to complete this prediction
BEFORE starting your real observations of the moon, based on your own current
knowledge of, or best-guesses, motion of the moon, before starting any further research into
this topic. (Note: this quiz will be evaluated on completion-basis only; no need to worry about ‘getting it
right’.)

Consider the hypothetical landscape shown at right, along

with a hypothetical moon shape and position in the sky.

5 Questions to be answered in this Hunch Quiz online:

Changes in the SHAPE of the Moon (multiple-choice):

• What do you think the shape of the moon would have been like 2 days before the moon phase
shown in the main diagram, observed at the same time of night?

• What do you think the shape of the moon would have been like 2 days after the moon phase
shown in the main diagram, observed at the same time of night?

Changes in the POSITION of the Moon (multiple-choice):

• Where do you think the position of the moon would have been if it were observed 2 days before
the moon shown in the main diagram?

• Where do you think the position of the moon would have been if it were observed 2 days after
the moon shown in the main diagram?

Explanation (short-answer):

Briefly explain your reasoning for choosing your answers in the previous 4 questions.

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Part 2: Plan the Experiment

This project will depend not only on you doing your work, but also on two other
variables outside of your control: weather, and phases of the Moon. For these
reasons, it will be CRITICAL for you to plan your observing sessions ahead, and to
take advantage of every single clear night/morning/day available for observations,
as soon as possible.

You will make two sequences of observations, called through-the-night (TTN) and night-to-night
(NTN), recorded on two separate landscape pictures and described in two separate observing logs.

What you will need:

• Location to observe the moon from, which you can come back to for all of your observations.
(Home, work, school – anywhere!) Observations must be done from the same observing site,
within each whole sequence (TTN, NTN). Note that you can complete TTN and NTN sequences
from two different observing locations.

• Schedule your time such that you can see the moon from the same location at the same time
over several nights (or mornings or days, depending on the current phase of the Moon), to
complete your night-to-night observing sequence.

• Photographic landscape, with you included in this photo-landscape, taken during the day.

• Accurately labeled directions (east-south-west) on your photographic landscape, to faithfully

represent the local directions at your observing site, for each observing sequence. You can use a
compass to map the local directions, or study maps of your local address to figure out which way
is east-west, south-north.

• Measuring tool to estimate, as accurately as possible, the change in position of the Moon. A
variety of tools – with different degrees of accuracy – can be used, such as the human finger and
hand at extended arm’s length (see textbook), ruler at extended arm’s length, compass, etc.

• Knowledge of times when the Moon will be ‘up’ (above horizon) during the different parts of
the current lunar cycle, so that your observations can be made successfully (provided that the
weather is clear enough to see the Moon.) I will provide suggested ‘best observing times’ for
moon observations for each week, in the general ‘Moon Project’ discussion folder.

Time-management tip:
Remember that a single moon observation takes no more than a few minutes to complete, so do not
delay making observations until ‘later, when you have more time’… take advantage of each clear
night/morning/afternoon as early as possible! The rest of the project requires observations to be
completed first, so this should be your first priority as soon as the project is released. (Clear
nights/mornings/afternoons can be hard to come by sometimes!)

Project-planning and time-management skills are transferrable skills already embedded in this project!

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LANDSCAPE CREATION
APPROXIMATE DIRECTIONS:

The diagram above shows a hypothetical horizon with cardinal directions labeled only approximately,
to represent a curved, 3-dimensional space around us (the domed sky) as projected onto a flat 2-
dimensional picture. Your observations will be set on a photographic landscape with similar compass
directions as this guide, but matching your individual local observing site more precisely.

Accurately-labelled directions are critical for an accurately-presented project!

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS (on a sample landscape):

Your landscape must include:

• proper cardinal directions (east-south-west) accurately matched to your location, and landscape
features (buildings, trees, power lines, hills, and any other landmarks that will help you locate the
Moon on your diagram)

• yourself in the landscape photo, with your back to the landscape, facing the camera, as verification
of your own, specific, individual landscape used in this project. This ‘self-photo’ can be taken by
someone else, or be presented separately as a ‘selfie’ photo, with at least some of the clearly-
identifiable landscape features visible in it.

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Part 3: Observe the Moon

You will complete two separate sequences (TTN and NTN) of moon observations, to discover – and
subsequently explain – any possible differences in the moon’s motion over different time scales (few
hours vs. few days).

3A: Through The Night (TTN) Sequence

The TTN Sequence is for making and recording observations of the moon through the night, evening, or
a morning, over a single 3-hour period. The complete TTN observing sequence needs to be done only
once for full credit (but extras are always encouraged!).

Complete and record four (4) observations of the moon, spanning at least 3 hours (from start to finish),
separated by 1 hour each, over the course of one night (or morning or afternoon).

For example: on a particular night (say Monday), you observe the moon at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm to
complete the TTN sequence, and record all these observations on the same single TTN landscape and
TTN observing log.

3B: Night to Night (NTN) Sequence

The NTN Sequence is for making and recording observations of the moon over several nights (or
mornings or afternoons), at the same time of night (or morning or afternoon, depending on the current
phase of the moon), within the same lunar (observing) cycle. There are two possible options to complete
the NTN Sequence.

Option 1: Complete and record one sequence of four (4) observations of the moon, on 4 separate nights
(or mornings or afternoons), at the same time of day for all observations (within 5-10 minutes of each
other).

For example: you observe the moon at 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to complete
the NTN sequence, and record all these observations on the same single NTN landscape and NTN
observing log.
OR

Option 2: Complete and record two sequences (A and B) of 3 observations each, taken on 6 separate
nights (or mornings or afternoons), such that the 3 observations in sequence A are all done at the same
time, and the 3 observations in sequence B are all also done at the same time, but the time of
observations between sequence A and B can be different.

For example: you observe the moon at 9pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (sequence A), and then in
a later part of its cycle at 7am on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday (sequence B); record all these
observations on the same single NTN landscape.

Important Note for NTN observations:

They do NOT have be done on consecutive nights, but do have to be done at the SAME TIME OF
DAY (even if there are ‘missing days’ between observations, due to bad weather, etc.)
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Part 4: Record the Observations

Recording of Observations on the Landscapes
Each recording of a moon observation in the Landscape should include:

• at least one photograph of the moon in your local landscape, ideally the first observation in the
sequence. (No need for ‘fancy’ equipment or cameras; this can be taken even with your cellphone
camera, as long as the moon’s light and position can be clearly seen in your landscape.)
• indication (by hand-drawn mark, and/or inserted photo if taken yourself) of the moon’s accurate
position in the sky relative to the landmarks in your landscape, labeled with its observation number
corresponding to its entry in the observing log
• estimated separation of the ‘moons’ (horizontally and vertically) observed at different times/dates,
using your particular ‘measuring tool’ (hand/fingers, ruler, etc). Any measurements (estimates) of
moon’s motion and position must be ultimately expressed in degrees.
• estimated direction of the moon, and estimated altitude (or height above horizon) of the moon, using
your particular ‘measuring tool’ (hand/fingers, ruler, etc).
• a dashed line connecting your observations from ‘start to finish’, showing direction of motion

Recording of Observations in the Observing Logs (see separate files posted with instructions)
Each recording of a moon observation in the appropriate Observing Log table should include:

• date and time of this particular observation

• more detailed appearance of the moon, showing its shape and orientation, completed either by hand-
sketching or photographs (if taken yourself)
• any additional features observed close to the moon, such as bright stars or planets
• the weather conditions (cloud cover, temperature, etc)

The Weather: Friend or Foe?

All well-prepared astronomers need to track the weather on a regular basis, to
make informed decisions on whether or not observations will be possible on
any given night. The following websites will be useful for tracking weather
over Toronto; alternative locations are also possible.

Satellite and Radar Images:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/maps/satellite-radar
http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/GOES/goeseastconusir.html
Short-term and Long-term General Weather Forecasts:
http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0696/
Clear-Sky Forecast: http://cleardarksky.com/c/Torontokey.html

However, always keep in mind that these are forecasts (predictions), not certainties. The real weather
can - and often does - change on short notice. Above all, always remember to GO OUTSIDE AND
LOOK FOR YOURSELF!

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Creative Extras

Don't resist the urge to have a creative response (be it artistic in nature, or drawing on your other
hobbies/talents/cultural connections) to a particularly spectacular moonlit night, or complete more than
the minimum number of observations. There is room for ‘extra recognition’ for ‘extra effort’
(completing extra observations) and/or creativity, which could earn you up to 5% bonus marks on the
project.

Made-up Observations

However, do resist the urge to become creative in making up observations based on where you think the
moon should be and what it should look like, since this is a form of academic dishonesty. All
observations flagged as ‘made up’ or ‘invalid’ will earn a grade of zero at the very minimum, and may
serve as grounds for further official academic-dishonesty investigations.

Part 5: Answer the Questions

To complete the project, answer questions on lunar motion (as observed by you
specifically for this project, and general patterns of moon’s motion in the Solar
System) for each TTN and NTN sequences in Word documents.
(See separate files posted with instructions.)