Demonstrations

Lunar Phases - Terminator Line Demo

Code Number :	8A10.25
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Good
Principle :	Lunar Terminator Line
Area of Study :	Solar System
Equipment :	Lunar globe (small), Slide projector, Camera and Power Supply, Terminator Line Model Globe, Rotating Platform, Arm attachment for platform with Camera and Globe mounts, Video camera, Lunar Globes, Slide Projector, wireless camera.
Procedure :	Put the lunar globe on one of the small tables and focus the camera on the globe. Put the slide projector on a table or lecture bench at the other side of the auditorium. Turn out the lights, and rotate the table with the globe within the projectors light. You will see the lunar terminator line movement on the monitors. The table is a little awkward to rotate because the power and video cords get in the way. To get around this attach the arm attachment to the rotating platform. The unit becomes more compact if you use a wireless video camera and then the wire issue is moot. The globe may also be tilted using the tripod head that is mounted to the arm attachment.

References

Jack Higbie, "Angle of the Crescent Moon", TPT, Vol. 38, # 6, Sept. 2000, p. 371.

"Correction", TPT, Vol. 38, # 7, Nov. 2000, p. 455.

Laurence A. Marschall, "Bringing The Moon Into The Classroom", TPT, Vol. 34, # 6, Sept. 1996, p. 360.

Jennifer Bond Hickman, "Moon Dance: A "Handy" Way to Teach Moon Phases", TPT, Vol. 31, # 3, Mar. 1993, p. 178.

Janice VanCleave, "Changes," 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments, p. 16.

Janice VanCleave, "Moon Phase: The Moon's Visible Lighted Surface," A+ Projects in Astronomy, p. 119.

#13, Moon Watch, Janice VanCleave's 203 Icy, Freezing, Frosty, Cool, and Wild Experiments.

#29, Lunar Calendar, Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky, and Wonderful Experiments.

3.3, "The Phases of The Moon", Project & Demonstrations in Astronomy by D.Tattersfield, p. 34.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille