C:\Fakepath\The Motion Of The Sun & Moon

Observe and describe the apparent motion of the sun and moon over a time span of one day

http://www.indianastandardsresources.org/files/sci/sci_3_3_where%20the%20sun%20goes.pdf

Definitions Rotation: the act of rotating something; one

complete turn

Revolving: turning around on or as if on an axis

Axis: a straight line which an object rotates

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axis

Background Information Who knows where the sun goes at night?

The sun, like most other planets, rotates on its axis. Unlike the Earth, the entire sun does not rotate at the same time because the sun is not solid. Instead, it is a giant ball of gases and plasma. Different parts of the sun spin at different rates. But where does it go at night? The sun actually doesn’t go anywhere!! As the Earth rotates around the sun every 24 hours, the sun shines on different parts of the Earth at different times.

As the world turns… Gather around a globe and mark the state

you live in with a piece of tape. With the lights out, shine the flashlight on

the globe, pointing at your state. (The flashlight will represent the sun and the darkness in the room will represent the darkness of the sky surrounding the Earth).

The sun is shining on your state. Is it daytime or nighttime?

As the world turns.. Slowly turn the globe without moving the

light source. (Point out to students how the sunlight falls on different areas of the Earth at different times).

Slowly turn the globe so that the flashlight is pointing to the side of the globe that is opposite of your state. It is now nighttime in your state.

Is there sunlight shining on your state? Can you see the sun at night?

Questions Is the sun always the same place in the sky? Does the sun seem to be moving? Think about the globe and flashlight

demonstration. Did the flashlight move? Did the light always shine on the same part

of the globe? The light’s position changed while the

flashlight stayed in the same spot!

The Moon If you watch the moon every night, you see

its shape appear to change. Does the moon really change shape? Of course not, but its appearance from Earth certainly changes. How does this work? The answer lies within the part of the moon that receives sunlight, and the part of the moon that does not receive sunlight. The moon revolves and rotates around the Earth.

Literature Read the book Moon Game by Frank Asch. On your own time, go outside to view the

different appearances of the moon!!

Assessment Does the sun rotate around the Earth?a. Yes b. No c. Sometimes

Does the moon look the same every night?a. Yes b. No

Can you see the sun at night? If no, why not?

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