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Astronomy Year / Week 03 / Sky Night
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Week 03 · Predict the Full Moon

Sky Night

Sky Night: check the Moon
// The Moon's monthly pattern
⏱ about 15 min

Sky Night: Check the Moon

Rocket carries the moon log outside with a grown-up.

"Is the Moon on track for my prediction?" Rocket asks.

Raven looks up. "What do you notice? Is it bigger or smaller than before?"

Nova glows red. "Hint: compare tonight to your last box."

  1. The Moon cycle takes about 29 and a half days.
  2. Waxing means growing. Waning means shrinking.
  3. The full moon rises at about sunset.
  4. We can predict the next full moon.
Safety first
Go outside only with a grown-up.
Stay near home in a safe, open spot.
Use a red light, not a white one.
Watch your step in the dark.

Your Sky Night mission

  1. Go out after dark with your grown-up.
  2. Find the Moon and draw its shape.
  3. Compare it to your last drawing.
  4. Decide: waxing or waning?
  5. Check your full moon guess on the calendar.
Moon logWhat I saw
Tonight's shape
Bigger or smaller than last time?
Waxing or waning?
Days until my full moon guess
SKY NIGHT CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Tonight the lit part is bigger than last time. What is the Moon doing?
Cloudy night?
Make a moon flip book instead.
Draw one phase on each small paper.
Stack them in order from new to full and back.
Flip the pages and watch the Moon change!
◇ MOON TALK WITH YOUR GROWN-UP
Read your moon log together.
Talk about your full moon guess.
Plan to look on the night you circled.

Keep your moon log going all month! Next week we find north with the stars.

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