Due: in class on January 24, 2008
1. Go to the site http://stardate.org/nightsky/moon/ . Find the current phase of the the Moon. Write down the date and phase of the Moon. ________________ Roughly, at what time will the Moon rise on the given date? _________ Roughly, at what time will the Moon be roughly due South? ___________ Estimate the answers using the information talked about in class. As a check for the exact times, follow the link on the website given above.
2. Sometime during the week, go out and try to find the Moon. Depending upon the weather, you may have to attempt this several times. Do not wait until just before the due date and hope for success. Take advantage of the first clear sky.
Where and when you see the Moon depends on the day and time you looked for it. Sketch a picture showing the location of the Moon in the sky. Note the date, time, and location (your viewing location--you may use local landmarks such as Willamette Hall, the Hult Ceneter, and so on). On your diagram, mark the rough location of the north, east, west, or south point on the horizon and guess the altitude of the Moon in degrees.
3. Go to the website
http://www.fourmilab.to/yoursky. Enter the longitude and latitude for
Eugene into the horizon view box
(the second such box on the page). Click the button
Make Horizon View. The default viewing time is set for
Now. Print and
hand in the horizon map. Where is the Moon at the current time?
________________________
Make (and print) the horizon map for the date and time at which you observed the Moon. Is your sketch consistent with the sky map? __________ Notes: Universal Time (UT) is the time in Greenwhich, England. Right now, UT is 8 hours ahead of us.