Introduction
 
 
 
 
 
 

Your school has a problem.  We are planning sky watching night but we need to know about the moon's phases and visible stars in the sky.

The Task

Congratulations!!!  You have been chosen to help with the sky watching night.  Your job is to discover the phase of the moon and what stars are visible on July 4th, 2000.  You need to include a picture of the night sky (moon and stars) for July 4th, 2000.   Use Superprint or Kid Pix 2 to create your night sky picture.   Finally, you will need to decide if the night they have chosen is a good one for seeing the moon and stars.  Be ready to report your findings and decision to the school.
 
 

Resources
 

Here are some sites on the Internet that should help you to make a decision.

Click  here to review the phases of the moon.

Click here to find out the phase of the moon on July 4th, 2000.

Click this site to also see the phase of the moon for July 4th, 2000.

Click to see what the stars in the night sky will look like in July, 2000

teacher notes
 

Here are some books that may also help you solve the problem.

Branley, Franklyn Mansfield. The Big Dipper.  New York:  Harper Collins, 1991.
Goldish, Meish.  Does the Moon Change Shape?  Austin, Texas:  Steck, Vaughn, 1989.
Lewellen, John Bryan.  Moon, Sun, and Stars.  Chicago:  Children's Press, 1991.
Gibbons, Gail.  Stargazers. New Your:  Holiday House, 1992.
Milton, Jacqueline.  Zoo in the Sky:  Animal Constellations.  Washington, D.C.:  National Geographic, 1998.
 
 

The Process
 

1. First you need to review the moon's phases.  Click here to review the phases of the moon. You may want to record the phases onto paper if you had forgotten the names.
2. Then find out what phase the moon will be in on July 4th, 2000.  You may want to check both of the following sites. Try here to see the phase of the moon on July 4th, 2000 or here to see  the phase of the moon for July 4th, 2000.
3. Draw a picture of the moon's phase for July 4th, 2000, you will need this information later.

Check to see what stars and constellations will be visible during July of 2000.  Click here     what the stars in the night sky will look like in July, 2000
 
4. Print a picture of the stars and constellations that can be seen during July of 2000.  You will need to use this picture to create your own night sky picture.
5. Draw your own picture that shows the night sky for July 4th, 2000 using Superprint, Kid Pix 2, or another graphics program.
6. Save and print a copy of your picture.
7. Make your decision, be sure that you can support your decision.  Answer the following question.  Do you think the school should plan a skywatching for the night of July 4th, 2000?
8. Write a letter to your school's principal.  Be sure to include your decision, the reasons for your decision and the picture that you created.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Evaluation

When you have completed all of the steps in the process above turn in the following things to your teacher:
 

• A picture created with a graphics program which shows the night sky for July 4, 2000.  Be sure to label the moon's phase and the constellations.
• A letter stating your decision with supported details.


Your teacher will determine and discuss the evalation process with you.
 



Conclusion

    After completeing these activities you will have reviewed the phases of the moon, stars and constellations.  You will be able find out what should be present for a night of skywatching.  You will use your skills to create a picture that will support your decision.  You may also want to use the resources to find other nights in upcoming months that would be good for skywatching.

Be sure to try the following sites for other activities:

Click here to see how much you weigh on the moon.

Click here to see how old you are on other planets.
 
 

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Page Created by Ann Dorich
Last updated August 10th, 1999

Comments and Questions please contact Ann Dorich