Week 3: The Moon, Phases, and Different Sides

 Week 3: The Moon, Phases, and Different Sides

1. What did you do in lab today?  In lab we conducted an experiment exploring why the different sides of the Moon appear two different colors and textures. My groups final statements was that depending on the size of the ball (meteoroid) the crater is bigger/smaller. The larger the meteoroid the larger the crater, the smaller the meteoroid the smaller the crater. In the same way it allows more or less cocoa powder. The crust on the near side of the moon is thinner than the crust on the dark side of the moon making it easier for craters to be created and seen.

2. What was the big question? There were three large questions presented in lab. What direction does the Earth rotate? Sun rises in the East, sets in the West → Counter clockwise. How long does the Moon rotate around the Earth? → It takes 28 days. How long does it take the Moon to revolve (turn on its axis)? → We have only ever seen one side of the moon. We didn't see the “dark side” of the moon until space exploration by the Russians on October 7th, 1959. Its rotation cycle is the same as its revolution cycle.

3. What did you learn in Thursdays discussion? I learned about why the Moon has different thicknesses The Earth facing side is 200 degrees F warmer. The near side acts as a more plastic than solid substance. More prone to volcano activity including magma fields (the dark spots on the near side)

Textbook:

1. What did you learn? I learned that Maria or Mare if singular are the large, dark spots formed by ancient volcanic activity. Early on in Moon exploration astronomers thought these spots were seas sort of like how Earth is viewed. 

2. What was most helpful? I found the Characteristics of Moon grey box very helpful in sorting out the details we learned in discussion and lab this week.

3. What did you need more information on? Why haven't we traveled to the Moon for so long?

1. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have? I am concerned that I never knew that the Moon had a dark side and slowly spins around as it rotates around the Earth.

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