Earth, Moon, and Sun
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Seasons: Why do we have them?
Learn why the temperature in the summertime is higher than it is in the winter by studying the amount of light striking the Earth. … Experiment with a plate detector to measure the amount of light striking the plate as the angle of the plate is adjusted (and then use a group of plates placed at different locations on the Earth) and measure the incoming radiation on each plate.
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Seasons: Earth, Moon, and Sun
Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to explain Sunrise and Sunset, and to see how we define a day, a month, … and a year. Compare times of Sunrise and Sunset for different dates and locations. Relate shadows to the position of the Sun in the sky, and relate shadows to compass directions.
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Seasons in 3D
Gain an understanding of the causes of seasons by observing the Earth as it orbits the Sun in three dimensions. Create graphs of … solar intensity and day length, and use collected data to describe and explain seasonal changes.
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Seasons Around the World
Use a three dimensional view of the Earth, Moon and Sun to explore seasonal changes at a variety of locations. Strengthen your knowledge … of global climate patterns by comparing solar energy input at the Poles to the Equator. Manipulate Earth’s axis to increase or diminish seasonal changes.
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Moon Phases
Gain an understanding of the phases of the Moon by observing the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, along with a view of the … Moon from the Earth. Learn about the face of the Moon viewed from Earth by studying the revolution and rotation of the Earth and the Moon.
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Moonrise, Moonset, and Phases
Gain an understanding of the Moonrise and Moonset times by observing the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, along with a view … of the Moon from the Earth. A line showing the horizon for a person standing on the Earth is displayed so the rise and set times can be easily recorded. Also, learn about the face of the Moon viewed from Earth by studying the revolution and rotation of the Earth and the Moon.
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2D Eclipse
Manipulate the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon to discover how eclipses happen. Observe the Moon and Sun from Earth during … a lunar and solar eclipse, and understand the relationship between partial and total eclipses. The sizes of the three bodies and the Earth-Moon distance can be adjusted.
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3D Eclipse
Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to investigate the causes and frequency of eclipses. Observe … Earth's shadow crossing the Moon during a lunar eclipse, and the path of the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse. The angle of the Moon's orbit can be adjusted, as well as the distance of the Moon from the Earth.
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Tides
Gain an understanding of high, low, spring, and neap tides on Earth by observing the tidal heights and the positions of the Earth, Moon, … and Sun. Tidal bulges can be observed from space, and water depths can be recorded from a dock by the ocean.
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Beam to Moon (Ratios and Proportions)
Apply ratios and proportions to find the weight of a person on the moon (or on another planet). Weigh an object on Earth and on the moon … and weigh the person on Earth. Then set up and solve the proportion of the Earth weights to the moon weights.
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Penumbra Effect
Observe how partial shadows are cast by multiple light sources. The number of light sources ranges from one to five, and lights can be … turned on or off. The distance and diameter of the shadow-casting object can be varied, and the light intensity can be seen on a detector.
