Observing the Moon
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Date
2005
Authors
University of Texas at Austin
McDonald Observatory
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
McDonald Observatory
Abstract
Department
Description
Introduction: Does the Moon always look the same? Does its surface look different
at different times? What will your students say when you ask them
these questions?
Many students are aware that the Moon goes through phases, but
except for the “man in the Moon” — which many admit they have a
hard time seeing — they probably haven’t thought about the surface
of the Moon and how we view it from Earth. Some students may mention
that the Moon changes colors. It actually doesn’t — the Moon’s
color changes due to the effects of our own atmosphere, not anything
intrinsic to the Moon.