Predict Moon Phases!

Predict Moon Phases and Tides!

8.7B The student is expected to demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle. AND 8.7C relate the positions of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides

First... Lets Review!

• The moon has 8 phases:

• New moon, Waxing Crescent, 1st Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent!

• It takes "29.5 days, to go from the first to the last phase..."

MEMORY TIPs!!!!

• Q: I can't remember how to tell waxing from waning. What will help?

• A: Remember this rhyme: "Waxing, Relaxing! The Light is on the Right!"

• Q: How do I know if the light will grow or diminish?

• A: Waxing means to grow; you are waxing into an adult right now! So the light will "grow" until its full.

Something New (not new moon.. but maybe!)

• New and Full Moon as well as the Quarter Moons last - 3 - days.

• Gibbouses and Crescents last - 4 - days.

• We can use this information to predict future moons!

• DO: Get out your cycle chart and mark days as listed above, now.

Multiple Choice

Waxing gibbous lasts...

• 3 days

• 4 days

• 7days

Multiple Choice

New moon lasts...

• 3 days

• 4 days

• 7days

Multiple Choice

1st Quarter lasts...

• 3 days

• 4 days

• 7days

Multiple Choice

Waining crescent lasts...

• 3 days

• 4 days

• 7days

Multiple Choice

2 CONSECUTIVE moon cycles last...

• 3 days

• 4 days

• 7days

Great job!

You just figured out it takes 1 week to go through 2 phases of the moon. That means, with 8 phases, it takes 4 weeks for a lunar cycle. Hmmm... What is 4 weeks long thinking about the calendar?

Multiple Choice

What is 4 weeks long when looking at a calendar?

• A Day

• A Week

• A Month

• A Year

Great job!

4 weeks is approximately 1 month! In fact, that is why a "MOonth" is named a "month;" It's named after the MOON! For ages, the moon helped humans keep track of dates and time. Many ancient calendars were based on lunar cycles. And the name for one lunar cycle is still used today on our modern calendar!!! SO COOL RIGHT?

Predicting Moon Phases

We can use our knowledge of phases to predict moon phases beyond just the next phase. Lets practice now:

Fill in the Blank

How many days will it take to get from a new moon to this phase?

Multiple Choice

If the moon is currently in this phase, what will the moon look like in 7 more days?

• New Moon

• First Quarter

• Full Moon

• Third Quarter

Fill in the Blank

How many days ago was this a full moon? At least ___ days.

Multiple Choice

3 weeks from now this will be a...

• Waxing Crescent

• Waxing Gibbous

• Waning Gibbous

• Waning Crescent

Fill in the Blank

This moon will be new in at least ___ days.

Multiple Choice

19 days ago this was a...

• Waxing Crescent

• Waxing Gibbous

• Waning Gibbous

• Waning Crescent

I think you got it!

Remember to keep practicing and practice writing your cycles with the counts. Lets move on!

The Ocean, Sun and Moon!

• The moon isn't just some visual in the sky. It also has a lot of mass; and as a result, gravity!

• That gravity pulls on the Earth and impacts the lesser dense fluids; mainly seen in the ocean.

• The sun (also QUITE MASSIVE!!!!) also pulls on the oceans with its gravity.

The Ocean, Sun and Moon!

• Spring tides: (biggest/lowest tides)

• The Sun, Moon, and Earth are in a straight line; the maximum gravitational pull is happening in one direction.

• Highest tides happen in line with the earth and moon.

• Lowest tides are 90 degrees from this.

The Ocean, Sun and Moon!

• Neap Tides: (quarter moon tides)

• The Moon's pull is 90 degrees Sun's pull. Low tides are higher and high tides are lower.

• Moderately higher tides happen at 90 degrees with the Moon.

• Moderately lower tides happen in line with the Sun.

Multiple Choice

Largest high tides occur durring:

• Neap Tides

• Spring Tides

Multiple Choice

Moderate low tides occur durring:

• Neap Tides

• Spring Tides

Multiple Choice

Moderate high tides occur durring:

• Neap Tides

• Spring Tides

Multiple Choice

Lowest low tides occur durring:

• Neap Tides

• Spring Tides