Instructions:
1. Choose the time of day/night you will observe the Moon. Pick a time you can commit to for at
least 14 days.
2. Use a Moon calendar to select the dates you will make your observations. Be sure that the Moon
is visible (that is, risen but not set) during the time you selected in step 1.
3. Find a place to do your observations where the horizon is relatively unobscured toward the south.
Come back to this place each time you do an observation.
4. On a sheet of paper sketch what you see along the southern horizon, extending from west to east.
Draw in a horizontal and vertical scale in 10-degree increments.
5. Beginning on the date you chose in Step 2, do the following things each day for the next 14 days:
a. Measure the altitude and azimuth of the Moon.
b. Record these values in a table along with the date, time, Moon phase, and notes about the
conditions, your impressions, etc.
c. On your sketch, draw the Moon as it appears to you. Be sure to draw it at the correct location
based on its altitude and azimuth. Shade in the maria that you see. Write the date next to your
drawing.
6. Be sure to come back to the same place at the same time (no more than +/- 15 minutes) for
each observation.
7. If you happen to miss an observation, make a note of that in your table. Then try again the
following day. You need to have at least 12 successful observations.
What to turn in:
1. Your sketch showing the changing location and appearance of the Moon (minimum of successful
10 observations, all on the same sketch).
2. Your table with the date, time, altitude, azimuth, and phase of the Moon during your observa-
tions, as well as notes on your observations. Please type your table.
3. The answers to the following analysis questions. Please type your answers.
Analysis questions:
1. How many degrees did the Moon move along the horizon (east/west) each day? Give the mini-
mum and maximum amounts as well as the average.
2. How many degrees did the Moon move vertically (in altitude) each day? Give the minimum and
maximum amounts as well as the average.
3. Explain why the location of the Moon changes in the sky as viewed at the same time over the
course of your observations.
4. What did you learn by completing this project?
5. What was challenging about this project?
Your project is due on the last day of class. No late work will be accepted. (But you can certainly
turn in your work early.)
One final tip: Start your project early! The weather is unpredictable, and you don’t want to
lose points because you couldn’t make enough observations. (Former students say this is the most
important suggestion they would give to future students, and I agree.)
