Don’t close this browser tab!

This Mystery is being downloaded to your device so you can play it at home without an Internet connection.

Keep this tab open once it's downloaded in order to play the Mystery.

If you experience problems, please talk to your teacher.

0% Cancel
This Mystery is out of date! Please proceed to Spaceship Earth to see the updated version.
What gives the Moon its glow? - ARCHIVED

What gives the Moon its glow? - ARCHIVED

Scroll for prep
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discuss: What did you notice when you did your Moon Journal? Was there anything you saw that helps you know where the Moon’s light is coming from?

Reveal answer

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discuss: When the Crescent Moon is setting, where is the Sun?

Reveal answer

Moon1

Hint: The Sun is at a V-shaped angle with the Crescent Moon.

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

The Sun is just below the horizon. It always makes a V-shaped angle with the Crescent Moon.

Moon2

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discuss: When the Half Moon is setting, where is the Sun?

Reveal answer

Moon3

Hint: The Sun is at an L-shaped angle with the Half Moon.

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

The Sun is directly beneath your feet on the opposite side of the Earth. It always makes an "L" shape with the Half Moon.

Moon4

Challenge: About what time is it in this picture?

Reveal answer

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discuss: When the Full Moon is setting, where is the Sun?

Reveal answer

Moon5

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

The Sun is just starting to rise. The Full Moon and the Sun make a straight line.

Moon6

Challenge: What time of day is it right now?

Reveal answer

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discuss: Now that you've learned what causes the Moon's phases, how would you explain it to someone who doesn't know?

Reveal answer

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen
# Extensions
Below are ideas for extending this topic beyond the activity & Exploration which you just completed.
Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Extra Activity: The Moon's Face

Encourage creative storytelling by asking your students to look for pictures on the Moon's face using this activity from the Lunar and Planetary Institute. For photos showing what various cultures have seen on the moon, check out this National Geographic article

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Discussion: Why We See Moon Phases (deeper level)

If you think your students are ready to delve into the cause of Moon phases more thoroughly, you can show them the “Moon Phases” animation at Dr. Cecilia Barnbaum’s Astronomy Demo Site. (You'll have to hit the play button to start the animation.) The animation has no narration, but you can pause to talk with your class about what it's showing. At the same site, you can also check out the “Why We See Phases” animation, which shows the phases of a tree and a ball in the sunlight.

Full Screen
Controls Icon Exit Full Screen

Activity Prep

Print Prep

This Mystery explores why the Moon seems to change shape (phases) over the course of a month.

Preview activity

Exploration

14 mins

Wrap-Up

6 mins

Extend this lesson