Friday, January 15, 7:00pm
Video Note: During this live program I had planetarium software was set to daylight savings time so the times described here are 1 hour off. On Friday January 15, 2021 sunset was a little after 4:30pm, not 5:30pm as described here. If you want to observe the night sky as shown in these scenes, go out at 4:30pm, not 5:30pm.
Recording will also be available on our youtube channel after the event.
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Program Description:
Happy New Year! In 2021, many of us are making resolutions around mindfulness. Observing the patterns and changes in the night sky is a great mindfulness habit to develop at any stage in life, and there's no easier way to start than by observing the nightly changes in our neighbor, the Moon. January 15 is right at the beginning of a new lunar cycle, the perfect time to start your observations! We'll share some tips on for successful Moon observation and journaling and give you a preview of the upcoming lunar cycle. Plus, the Moon sure has been making news lately! We'll help you make sense of the latest developments in lunar exploration and science including the search for water on the Moon, the first lunar samples collected since the 1970's, and the next generation of astronauts who will walk on the Moon.
About AstroNights:
AstroNights is a live, family-friendly exploration of your night sky that you can join from the comfort of your home. View live on YouTube or join the Zoom Webinar for extra interactive features! Our educators leave audiences with simple advice for observing your real night sky when the program is over. From the colorful characters in our own solar system to the weird and wonderful things far beyond, each program is sure to contain something of interest to armchair astronomers of all ages. Monthly each 3rd Friday. Click here for more information about past AstroNights events, including how to access recordings.
Resources
The links below include resources mentioned during the program, suggested follow-up activities, and more!
Moon Journal a simple printable template for making daily moon observations, with a few guiding questions. Adults/Parents: remember that the Moon rises and sets each day at a different time each day (see Moon Rise times, below).
Moon Rise Times from TimeAndDate.com find out when the Moon will rise, set, and cross your meridian (be directly overhead). Also see the phases and distance from Earth. This guide takes some patience to read and understand.
International Observe the Moon Night - great resources for this annual event. We especially like all the fun activities and useful Moon FAQs bundled in the Activity Guide!
High-resolution visualizations of the Moon’s phases from NASA’s SVS. The primary visualization reveals how the appearance of the Moon is affected by its position in orbit, distance from Earth, and more. The first visualization is jam-packed with data, but scroll down to see it broken down piece by piece. With high-res visuals from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, this is one of the best lunar science teaching tools ever made!
The BEST way to teach the Phases of the Moon - You bet it involves a Styrofoam ball! All you need is a white ball, a light source and a dark room. This is a classic classroom activity, but it’s a great exercise to do at home - with kids or even adults who never really understood the phases of the Moon. From the top-notch education team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
MicroObservatory: control robotic telescopes to take high-quality astrophotos of celestial objects both near and far (the Moon is a favorite!). Tutorials and other educational resources available.
For young learners: Hide and Seek Moon from NISENet. If you have your own binoculars, print out the Moon poster, place it 6-8 feet away, and guide young learners in using the binoculars to search for fun animal shapes. Next, try taking the binoculars our to look at the real Moon outside!
NASA’s Artemis Program: Get a quick overview of the program and read about the potential crewmembers. If you still want more info, peruse the 74-page Artemis Plan, last updated on September 2020.
What’s in Your #MoonKit? - Share your excitement about the Artemis Missions by thinking about what you would pack for the Moon! What can’t you leave the planet without? Is it your camera? Your drawing pad? Or maybe your musical instrument? Participate by sharing a picture of your NASA Moon Kit with the hashtag #NASAMoonKit
Your Guide to The Moon - From the Planetary Society, THE #1 place to get all the latest info about past, present and future space exploration. I especially like their page Every Mission to the Moon, Ever.
Lunar Trailblazer Mission - This tiny mission, scheduled for launch in 2025, has a big goal: to find and map all the water on the surface of the moon. Fabulous website!