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Observe the Moon Night: Resources for Learning Environments

International Observe the Moon Night occurs annually in September or October, and you can celebrate with your learners using these amazing Moon activities from NASA Science!

The face of the Moon that we see from Earth
This image, based on data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft, shows the face of the Moon we see from Earth. The more we learn about our nearest neighbor, the more we begin to understand the Moon as a dynamic place with useful resources that could one day even support human presence.
NASA / GSFC / Arizona State University

The Moon has much to offer educators as a visible and common experience shared by many learners around the world. As someone who taught astronomy for many years in New York City, I understand the challenge of supporting students in making observations of the Moon (or any celestial phenomena!). The Moon might be visible in the sky, but the patterns of Moon phases demand observations over a period of time that can be difficult to sustain. The following resources give you the tools and activities to enable active student engagement in observing patterns of the Moon in the sky—day and night—for students of all ages: 

  • Observe the Moon and its Patterns with these digital resources for every grade:
  • Dial a Moon with this Moon Phase and Libration interactive from NASA’s Science Visualization Studio.
  • Why do Moon phases occur and what is their sequence? Explore the Phases of the Moon in this cool 80's retro style experience featuring your AI friend LuCIA for middle school classrooms.
  • Moon Trek is an application from NASA that allows you to view imagery and perform analysis on data from the Moon. You can even generate a 3D printable or experience it in VR!
  • Start a Moon Observation Journal with this printable handout from NASA.
  • Lunar Phases: A Dance Under the Sun is a hands-on activity from the Lunar and Planetary Institute for children ages 10 to 13.
  • Everything to do With Moon Rocks:
    • Astromaterials 3D Lunar Collection is a virtual library for exploration and research of NASA's space rock collections. Examine and slice samples with the Explorer tool!
    • Learn about NASA's Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and see how NASA protects these precious moon rocks brought to Earth by the Apollo astronauts in this video from NASA eClips: 'Lunar Rock'.
    • Explore how moon rocks can unravel the stories and mysteries about the Moon, Earth, and our solar system. Share this NASA eClips video, 'The Stories Moon Rocks Tell' with your learners and encourage them to answer the accompanying questions.
    • Meet a NASA Subject Matter Expert (SME): In this NASA eClips Ask SME video, Dr. Ryan Zeigler, Lunar Sample Curator at NASA's Johnson Space Center, shares his excitement in taking care of NASA's Moon rocks. He clearly loves the field of geology and shares insight into the responsibilities of curating the priceless lunar rocks.
    • Meet a NASA Subject Matter Expert (SME): In this NASA eClips Ask SME video, Andrea Mosie, Senior Apollo Sample Processor and Lab Manager at NASA's Johnson Space Center, shares her passion for her work with moon rocks. She describes the changes she's seen in the Astromaterials Curation Office over the years and encourages listeners to set their own goals and take control of their destiny.
    • Meet a NASA Subject Matter Expert (SME): In this NASA EClips Ask SME video, Erika Blumenfeld, Artist and Astromaterials 3D Science Principal Investigator, shares her "obsession with the stories that connect us to the cosmos." Her curiosity about the stories rocks can tell inspired her to explore dynamic ways to 3D model and make NASA's astromaterials collection more accessible to everyone.

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