Phases of the Moon: Hands on Activity

Observe the Moon

• Study the moon over a couple of months. Sometimes, weather conditions make it difficult to observe the moon every day, and studying it over a couple of months will allow you to see all the phases. Write down all the eight phases of the moon on a large sheet paper with room for small sketches. Fill in the date you observed the moon, and draw what it looked like.

Different Times

• Check the times that the moon is visible. A lunar calendar will assist in determining the ideal viewing times. Sometimes you have to observe the moon after sunset and sometimes it is only visible early in the morning. Go out at different times after the moon has risen and watch how its position in the night sky changes every hour.

Moon Rise and Set

• Study how the moon rises and sets every day. The moon appears on the horizon just like the sun, and the time depends on the phase of the moon. The moon rises about 30 to 60 minutes later each day than the previous day. Write down the time you see the moon appear and disappear.

Study the Moon's Face

• Use binoculars and observe the moon. The moon keeps the same face toward our Earth and we always see the same side of the moon. There are craters and mountains on the moon, and you can see how the angle at which these are illuminated by the sun changes throughout the different phases. Draw how a certain crater changes during the different phases. This will help you to understand what happens as the moon passes through the different phases.