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Scitech

Moon Journal

Your mission is to set aside some time each day to look at the Moon and record your observations in a Moon journal.

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Have you ever wondered how the Moon changes shape each night? Or maybe you’ve wanted to know why it changes.

Actually, it doesn’t change shape at all, but it does look different! In this activity, we use observation to find out more about our marvellous Moon.

Activity 1: Let’s investigate

What you’ll need

  • 5 minutes every day for one month
  • paper (to make your journal)
  • pencil/pens/markers
  • warm clothes.

Create your Moon journal by drawing 4 lines of 7 circles: that’s one circle for each day of the week for 4 weeks (see an example by NASA).

What you’ll do

Step 1

Head outside to observe the Moon each day for one month.

Step 2

Write down the date and time you make each observation, and illustrate how the Moon looks each day by shading in the circles on your Moon journal to match the shape of the Moon.

Step 3

If you can see the whole Moon, you do not need to shade in any part of the circle. If you can only see half of the Moon, shade the side of the Moon that you cannot see in the circle for that day.

What to look for:

  • Does it look the same as yesterday? How has it changed?
  • What shape is it today? What shape do you think the Moon will be tomorrow?Why?
  • What do you think will happen to the Moon’s shape during the next week?

If you can’t see the Moon, can you explain why? To help find out, visit the Time and Date website.

Want to take this activity further?

Can you think of a way to illustrate the different phases of the Moon? Maybe you could make a model or an animation, take photos to create a timelapse, or even bake them! Share your project with friends or family.

We’d love to see what you create! Share your video or animation by tagging #ScitechAtHome on social media.

 

Try another at home challenge from our postcard series:

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