Earth in Space Week 2

Sponge 3/15 Recall the time you first noticed your shadow was very long (or tall). Describe what you saw around you: Where you were? What the sky looked like? Where was the sun? What time of day? Did you know why your shadow was long?

In Class Shadow Exercise We will look at: - the Sun’s movements on June 1st - the Sun’s movements on December on December 1st Why these dates (or where on the calendar they are)?

Your Job Follow along in the book p.27 Copy shadow patterns we create on the board into Journal p. 4 Be ready and engaged You’ll be called on for questioning Starry Night Software Exercise

March 16th NO SPONGE TODAY – We will trace real shadows outside. Items to take outside: Text book Pencil / Pen Crossword Puzzle (I’ll hand out at door)

Sponge 3/17 Why do we have Leap Year? Pick one below and explain it in terms a 1st grader would understand (not baby talk, but use simple logic a 1st grader would understand). Why do we have Leap Year? Why do the Sun and Moon appear to be about the same size?

Graphing Yesterday’s Shadows Data Gathering: - Notebook p.35 - Measure / Record Shadow Length - Record Time - Ensure Units of Measure

Expectations Graph and Reflection Questions will be assessed (graded). - Neat - Correct data - Correct graphing - Graph Set-up Response Questions - Correct Answers - Quality Answers -Complete Sentences - Sound Logic

Questions What patterns become apparent when comparing the Summer and the Winter results? What causes these patterns? Can you tell where the sun is from the shadow pattern? How are the patterns like a clock?

Moon Phase Project We will start following the phases of the moon in class. You should compare it to what you see in the night sky. I won’t talk about it everyday but will have the data in the sponge. It is your responsibility to get the Moon data from the Sponge.

Eight Standard Moon Diagrams You will learn the names later. Do your best Not looking for cartoon drawing

Read Page 40-41 Answer in Notebook after Sponge What lead us (people in general) to keep track of time the way we do today? Specifically, what do we base the measure of our day on? What did older cultures base their month on? Do we do that today? How many stars in the Milky Way? How many galaxies in the Universe? How many Earths volumes fit in the Sun?

Sponge 3/18 Find / Name 5 Graph Details For which I will grade today’s graph (besides correct data and graphing) 1. Title 2. Legend 3. Units of Measure 4. Axis Titles 5. Correct Scale

Sundials

Angle of Separation - The degree of openness of an angle - In Astronomy, it is the angle created using your eye and two points. - For our lab, we use the angle created between the sun, our eye, and the horizon.

Angle of Separation

- When the Sun is at it’s highest point of the day Solar Noon - When the Sun is at it’s highest point of the day - The top of the Sun’s arc across the sky Is Solar Noon the same as 12:00 Noon?

Modeling / Measuring Sun’s Path What is the difference between the Winter Sun Path and the Summer Sun Path? We will: - Model each path - Observe and record Shadow Data - Graph Shadow Data - Text p. 31 Notebook p. 37

Expectations Graph and Reflection Questions will be assessed (graded). - Neat - Correct data - Correct graphing - Graph Set-up Response Questions - Correct Answers - Quality Answers -Complete Sentences - Sound Logic

Graphing Today’s Shadows Graphing Details: - Labels - Axis Titles - Units of Measure - Graph Title - Legend - Axis Scale (units per square) - Spacing Axis Scale How do we make sure all data fits in the graph ?

Project Jobs Team Manager Info Manager Data Manager Materials Manager - Monitors whole process - Knows the directions - Speaks to Teacher Info Manager - Double Checks Data - Assists Data Manager Data Manager - Gathers Data - Ensures everyone has same data Materials Manager - Gets / Returns Supplies -

Probe Questions When does the Sun’s Angle of Separation change? In what ways does it change? Think of 2. How is the Sun’s Angle of Separation related to shadows? How do shadows change over time?

Sponge 3/19 The same side of the Moon always faces the Earth. We don’t see the Moon rotate around an axis if viewed from the Earth. If you were on the moon, would you see the Earth rise and fall across your sky? Extra Challenge: How could the Moon rotate once every 27.3 days?

Conclusion Evidence Earth moves, not Sun Sun rises in the East, sets in the West The Earth rotates East Night background objects vs Sun Arc Angle from shadow top to Sun. Eastern sunrise, Western sunset. Shadow path

Conclusion Evidence Sun shadow length, Solar Noon Summer Sun Path is higher than Winter Sun Path Solar Noon definition Solar Noon not connected to 12:00 Noon Sun shadow length, Solar Noon Highest point = smallest shadow. Shortest shadow is not 12:00 Noon

Sponge 3/18 Your Thoughts about . . . Why does the Sun and Moon appear to cross the sky? Compare the Sun’s path in the Winter to the Summer? What would you expect in Spring and Fall?

Today’s Readings How to View the Sun Safely text p.36 The Anasazi: Ancient Skywatchers text p.40-41

Solar Azimuth