In the Phase Simulator, click on the option labeled show angle (if not already done so)-which graphically displays the angle between the direction of the sun and moon. Now drag the moon around the sun to a variety of different locations and note the appearance of the Moon Phase. Describe how the value of the angle correlates with the appearance of the moon.
When the value of the angle between the direction of the sun and moon is close to 0 degrees, the moon appears as a thin crescent. As the angle increases, the moon appears as a larger crescent, then a half moon, and eventually a gibbous moon. When the angle reaches 180 degrees, the moon appears as a full moon.
The angle between the sun and moon determines the amount of the moon's illuminated side that is visible to Earth. A smaller angle corresponds to a smaller visible portion of the moon, resulting in a crescent shape. As the angle increases, more of the illuminated side becomes visible, transitioning from crescent to half moon. When the angle is 180 degrees, the entire illuminated side is visible, resulting in a full moon.
Overall, the appearance of the moon phase correlates with the value of the angle between the sun and moon.
To describe how the value of the angle correlates with the appearance of the moon in the Phase Simulator, please follow the step-by-step instructions below:
1. Open the Phase Simulator.
2. Locate the option labeled "show angle" and make sure it is clicked to enable the display of the angle between the direction of the sun and moon.
3. Drag the moon around the sun to different locations by clicking on it and moving it to a new position.
4. As you move the moon to different locations, pay attention to the appearance of the moon phase on the simulator.
5. Note how the value of the angle changes as you move the moon around.
The correlation between the value of the angle and the appearance of the moon phase is as follows:
- When the angle between the direction of the sun and moon is close to 0 degrees, the moon appears as "new moon." This means that the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, with the dark side facing the Earth.
- As the angle increases, the moon's visibility gradually increases, and it transitions through the waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, and full moon phases. During these phases, the angle between the sun and moon gradually becomes larger.
- When the angle reaches around 180 degrees, the moon appears as a "full moon." In this phase, the Earth is positioned between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to be fully illuminated.
- After the full moon, as the angle continues to increase, the moon enters its waning phases, including the waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent phases.
- Finally, when the angle returns to around 0 degrees, the moon appears as a "new moon" again, completing one full cycle of moon phases.
By observing the appearance of the moon phase in relation to the changing angle between the sun and moon in the Phase Simulator, you can better understand how the value of the angle correlates with the appearance of the moon.