Assignment 1: Phase of the Moon

Due: on or before October 15, 2021, Write-up example

1. Go to the site http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/ . What is the current date ________________ and what is the phase of the Moon ______________ ?

Roughly, at what time will the Moon rise on the date given above? _________
Roughly, at what time will the Moon pass through the Celestial Meridian? ___________

Do not simply look up the answers. Estimate answers using what you have learned in this class. As a check, look up the exact times for moonrise and moon noon in Eugene, OR.

2. During the week, go outside and find the Moon on two different occasions. Depending upon the weather, you may need to attempt Moon viewing several times. Do not wait until just before the due date and hope for success. Take advantage of the first clear skies.

Where and when you see the Moon depends on the day and time at which you look. Sketch a picture (or take a picture with your phone or camera) showing the location of the Moon in the sky. Include the horizon and, if possible, include identifiable landmarks. Note the date, time, and location (your viewing location--you may use name landmarks such as Willamette Hall, the Hult Ceneter, and so on). Mark the rough location of the north, east, west, or south point on the horizon, if possible, and guess the altitude of the Moon above the horion in degrees. I used a compass app for my phone to find directions.

On a later date, go out at roughly the same time as for your first observation of the Moon, and find the Moon. Note the day and time at which you looked. Sketch a picture (or take a picture with your phone) showing the location of the Moon in the sky. Be sure to include the horizon and again, if possible, include identifiable landmarks. Mark the rough location of the north, east, west, or south point on the horizon, if possible, and guess the altitude of the Moon above the horion in degrees.

3. Based on your observations does the Moon rise earlier or later from day to day.

4. Go to the website http://www.fourmilab.to/yoursky. Enter the longitude and latitude for Eugene into the horizon view box (the second such box on the page). Click the button Make Horizon View. The default viewing time is set for Now. Print and hand in the horizon map. Where is the Moon at the current time? ________________________
Make (and print) the horizon map for the date and time at which you observed the Moon. Is your sketch consistent with the sky map? __________ Notes: Universal Time (UT) is the time in Greenwhich, England. Right now, UT is 8 hours ahead of us.