ASTR.SCI.8.A
Model how the orbit and relative position of the Moon cause lunar phases and predict the timing of moonrise and moonset during each phase.
Astronomy · Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) · TEKS 2022
Standard Unwrapping
AI-generated as a starting point — sign in to edit.Vocabulary
orbitrelative positionMoonlunar phasestimingmoonrisemoonsetphase
Skills
- model (how the orbit and relative position of the Moon cause lunar phases) #dok2
- predict (the timing of moonrise and moonset during each phase) #dok3
- identify (lunar phases based on Moon’s position and orbit) #dok1
- explain (the relationship between Moon’s orbit, position, and lunar phases) #dok2
Learning Targets
- I can identify the lunar phases based on observations of the Moon’s position. #dok1
- I can model how the orbit and relative position of the Moon cause each lunar phase. #dok2
- I can explain the relationship between the Moon’s orbit and the appearance of moon phases. #dok2
- I can predict the timing of moonrise and moonset for any given lunar phase. #dok3
Big Ideas
- The Moon’s phases and the timing of its rise and set are determined by its orbit and relative position to Earth and the Sun.
- Understanding and predicting lunar phases unlocks the ability to model celestial mechanics in the Earth-Moon-Sun system.
Essential Questions
- How does the Moon’s orbit around Earth create the sequence of lunar phases?
- What is the connection between the relative position of the Sun, Earth, and Moon and the appearance of each phase?
- How can we use models to predict when the Moon will rise and set during each lunar phase?
- Why is understanding lunar phases important for astronomy and everyday life?
- What evidence supports our scientific understanding of lunar phases and their timing?