For a printer friendly version of this lab, click here

Background: You have probably noticed that as the seasons change, the sun's height in the sky changes.  During the long days of summer, the sun's altitude is high for most locations in the United States.  As winter approaches, however, the days get shorter and the sun's maximum altitude becomes lower.  You may not have noticed the monthly and yearly variations that the moon experiences in its maximum altitude.  This lab will show you that variation.

Materials:

bullet

graph paper

bullet

five (5) different colored pencils or markers

Procedure:

bullet

obtain materials

bullet

the data table gives the maximum altitudes on the moon and sun on selected dates for an observer at 40° N latitude for a certain year.  Use a colored pencil to plot the sun's maximum altitude using an asterisk (*) for each of the dates given.  Connect the asterisks to form a smooth curve.

bullet

using different colored pencils, plot the maximum altitude of the moon for each of the dates in the data table.  Use a number sign (#) for a new moon; a dot (.) for first quarter moon; a circle (O) for the last quarter moon; and an "X" for a full moon.  Once your points are plotted, connect all similar points in smooth curves.  You will have a total of five (5) different curves.

Data Table:

Maximum Altitude

Date Moon Phase Moon Sun
January 4 New Moon 25.9°

 

January 13 First Quarter 62.9°  
January 19 Full Moon 72.0° 29.5°
January 26 Last Quarter 34.8°  
February 3 New Moon 33.1°  
February 11 First Quarter 69.9°  
February 18 Full Moon 60.2° 38.0°
February 25 Last Quarter 26.5°  
March 4 New Moon 45.3°  
March 12 First Quarter 74.5°  
March 18 Full Moon 50.7° 48.8°
March 26 Last Quarter 26.6°  
April 3 New Moon 58.9°  
April 10 First Quarter 71.6°  
April 17 Full Moon 36.1° 60.5°
April 24 Last Quarter 30.6°  
May 2 New Moon 66.5°  
May 9 First Quarter 64.6°  
May 16 Full Moon 29.6° 69.1°
May 24 Last Quarter 41.1°  
June 1 New Moon 73.7°  
June 7 First Quarter 55.2°  
June 15 Full Moon 26.0° 73.3°
June 23 Last Quarter 54.0°  
June 30 New Moon 73.4°  
July 7 First Quarter 39.9°  
July 14 Full Moon 28.3° 71.7°
July 22 Last Quarter 61.9°  
July 29 New Moon 69.1°  
August 5 First Quarter 32.2°  
August 13 Full Moon 37.4° 64.7°
August 21 Last Quarter 71.4°  
August 28 New Moon 56.0°  
September 3 First Quarter 27.6°  
September 12 Full Moon 50.0° 54.2°
September 19 Last Quarter 73.6°  
September 26 New Moon 46.6°  
October 3 First Quarter 27.4°  
October 11 Full Moon 58.2° 43.0°
October 19 Last Quarter 68.8°  
October 25 New Moon 37.9°  
November 2 First Quarter 34.6°  
November 10 Full Moon 68.9° 32.8°
November 17 Last Quarter 61.1°  
November 24 New Moon 28.4°  
December 2 First Quarter 45.9°  
December 9 Full Moon 72.6° 27.2°
December 16 Last Quarter 51.6°  
December 22 New Moon 27.3°  

Graph:

For the graph, you are plotting altitude (in degrees) along the y-axis and the twelve (12) months of the year along the x-axis.  Below is a sample of the graph layout. 

Note: Be aware that this graph is not completely labeled - you are expected to label the graph completely (i.e. axis labels; graph title).

90°                                
                                 
80°                                
                                 
70°                                
                                 
60°                                
                                 
50°                                
                                 
40°                                
                                 
30°                                
                                 
20°                                
                                 
10°                                
                                 
                               
  January February March April

Analysis & Conclusions:

1. On your graph, compare the new moon's maximum altitudes throughout the year to the curve connecting the sun's maximum

     altitudes.  Why do the new moon's altitudes parallel the path of the sun?

 

2. During which months is the sun highest and lowest in the sky?  During which months is the full moon highest and lowest in

    the sky?

 

3. What is the relationship between the sun's noon altitude and the maximum altitude of the full moon?

 

4. What effect does Earth's tilt have on the altitudes of the sun and the full moon?  How is this shown on your graph?

Remember to use the proper format when writing up this lab.

Lab Notes  >