Purpose:

Now that we've had a little bit more time to accumulate observations we see if those observations suggest any clear patterns.

Fall 2021: Due to weather and remote teaching issues I have gathered the classes data together for your use in this lab. Here are .docx's of data from various students for October 2021data, November 2021 data, January 2022, and February 2022. You will need to look at these both to complete the lab.

Procedure:

We will explore cycles of the moon much as the ancients did by mapping our data onto a calendar and seeking for patterns. I would encourage you to think about what this might have felt like in times when we communicated primarily through an oral tradition and didn't have written systems of information management. Given the world we live in we will record the data in written form on a calendar. I will have stacks of blank monthly calendars (pdf or jpg) for you to use in collating your data.

When we discussed the data you were gathering it was suggested that you include the following information in each observation. A sketch of the moon showing how much of the moon was bright and dark, where the sun was relative to your sketch, the time and date, how far the moon was from the sun (in degrees or 'fists') and how high the moon was above the horizon (in degrees or 'fists'). It is to be hoped that you have 10-20 data points after a couple of months.

• We will start by taking two blank monthly calendars and putting your data onto those months. You will need to label month and year as well as the actual dates before starting to enter data. Each data point should have a sketch of the moon phase, the time(s) it was observed, where the sun was relative to the moon (west or east or opposite) and its location relative to the sun (in degrees) and the horizon (in degrees).

• Before we dive deeper into this lab we will take a close look at the data. There are some places where the data is inconsistent. Places where two different observers were out on the same night and sketched the moon differently. There are also days when the data looks very consistent. Identify a day when the data seems inconsistent. Describe the inconsistency and how you think the data could be corrected. Identify a day when there are multiple observations that seem consistent with each other.

• Interpolation is a tool which gives us a formal way to insert predictions about missing data. If you see a quarter moon on one night and a full moon a week later it seems probable that the moon passed through intervening phases along the way. Using interpolation determine and mark, using a different color marker, on your calendar where the full moon, new moon, and each quarter moon 'should' have been visible over the two month of your data set. After you have completed this task scan your data calendars and post them on the Bb discussion page to share with other students. Later you will have a chance to check your predictions against the official calendar.

• Identify, on your calendars, where there are significant gaps in your collective data and whether the gaps are due to weather or merely absence of information. Given the two months of data that you have, and using data posted by others in the discussion folder, can you identify the length of time it takes the moon to go through 1 cycle of it's phases? Explicitly present two pairs of data points that support this assertion. IF you use data from someone else be sure to give them credit for gathering and sharing that data.

• Can you discern, in your data, a pattern for when and where in the sky to look for each of the quarter moons and the full moon? How would you go about trying to see the moon when it is as close to a new moon as possible. Be explicit about how your data supports your answers.

• Project your data forward and also predict the dates of all major phases for two months from now. After you have made those predictions you may check your predictions against the 'official' prediction given on the moon calendar here.

• ** (this part may be optional depending on the data and the year) This one is a little more difficult. From your data and shared data in the discussion board determine how much closer or further from the sun the moon moves each day. There is a regular progression that helps predict where to look for the moon on successive nights.

LAB DELIVERABLES: (Turn in on Bb)

I) Include your calandar data in your lab report. This will include your personal data as well as your predictions (in a different color or marker) of the day of each major phase of the moon. I will also look for your scans in the discussion board.

II) Present your analysis of a day when the data is inconsistent and your proposed resolution of the inconsistency (with reasons). Present your analysis of a day when the data seems consistent and reliable.

III) Present the data that supports your determination of the length of time it takes the moon to complete one cycle of it's phases.

IV) Describe how you determined the dates of each of the mojor phases during the two months spanned by your data. Provide evidence to support your decisions.

V) Where in the sky and what time of day will you look for the full moon and the first and last quarters. Describe how your data supports these conclusions.

VI) Share your predictions for the date of the new moon, first and last quarters, and full moon two months from now. Compare your predictions with the 'official' predictions. How close were you and how could you do better given your data?

**VII) Present your data and calculations showing how far the moon moves each day relative to the sun.