Moon Observation Journal – 2024 Eclipse Edition
January 3, 2024
| Credit | NASA's International Observe The Moon Night |
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A solar eclipse will cross North America on April 8, 2024. Many people will be able to see a partial eclipse, and some lucky viewers will be able to see a total solar eclipse. Check out NASA’s eclipse path map to find out what to expect in your location. Always use proper eye protection to observe an annular or partial solar eclipse.
If it is visible from your location, begin a month of lunar observations starting with the solar eclipse! Record your observations in the journal. Once you have completed your observations for the whole month, answer the questions below.
Questions:
- Did the Moon look the same each day? If not, describe how it changed throughout the month.
- Did you see the Moon at the same time each day? Was there a pattern to the time when you were able to observe it? If so, describe the pattern.
- Did anything prevent you from being able to see the Moon this month? Could you still figure out what the Moon would have looked like if you could have seen it? If so, how?
- A solar eclipse is a rare opportunity to observe a new moon.
Look up information on the phases of the Moon and indicate in your Moon Observation Journal where you think the Moon most closely matched each of the following phases:
Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, and Waning Crescent, as well as New Moon. - A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth line up, with the Moon in between the Sun and Earth. This only happens during a new moon phase. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon line up, with the Earth in between the Sun and Moon. During what phase of the Moon could you see a lunar eclipse?
- What questions do you have about the Moon or eclipses? See if you can find answers and then share what you learn with your friends and family.
Some places you can find information about the Moon and eclipses are:
- NASA’s Moon Site: science.nasa.gov/moon
- Lunar eclipses: science.nasa.gov/moon/eclipses
- Solar eclipses: science.nasa.gov/eclipses