Modules 1 and 2 Outcomes Covered:

• Describe the motion of the Earth, Sun, Moon and Planets in space and explain how those motions appear from a specific point of view on Earth (F, N)
• Relate the motions of celestial objects to our time-keeping systems; the day, month and year (C, D, E, F, L, M, N)
• Distinguish what can be found on the Celestial Sphere and relate that to motions of the sky (I, N)
• Identify and recognize the software tools and instruments to be used in labs (L)
• Make predictions of everyday and planetary motion using Kepler's Laws, Conservation Laws and the Universal Law of Gravity (C, D, E, G)

• Binoculars (or telescope) See Laboratory Instructions under the Syllabus Module for specific information.
• pencil
• Print out (3) three Moon Observation Form.
• Digital camera or scanner

Read the Laboratory Instructions (in the Syllabus Module) which will tell you how to submit this lab. Also read through the Midterm Project Rubric linked under Tools, which will tell you how this project will be graded. Be sure to read this full document before starting.

Total Time Required to Complete This Project: 3 weeks at the most. (~2 weeks to do observations and 1 week to write the paper portion.) For Exercise 1, each of the 14 observations should take less than 5 minutes per night. For Exercise 2, each of the 3 observations will take ~45 minutes which includes making the sketch and researching the features to complete the lab sheet. For Exercise 3, ~30 minutes.

Students Requesting Accommodations: Students requesting accommodations for the observations portion of this lab and to do an alternative assignment need to present a formal Accommodation request.

LATE WORK POLICY: The no late work policy will be strictly followed for this assignment. If you have any issues completing the observations contact your instructor ASAP. 

Pre-Exploration Study and Information