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Phases of Moon Model
written by Todd Timberlake
The EJSPhases of Moon model displays the the appearance of the moon and how it changes depending on the position of the moon relative to Earth and Sun. The main window shows Earth (at the center) and Moon, as well as a circle tracing out Moon's orbit. Sun is far to the right in this picture and therefore the right side of Earth and Moon are bright while the left sides are dark.  By using the Options Menu the Moon View window shows the appearance of Moon as seen from Earth  when Moon is in the position shown in the main window.  You can modify this simulation if you have Ejs installed by right-clicking within the plot and selecting "Open Ejs Model" from the pop-up menu item.

Ejs Phases of Moon model was created using the Easy Java Simulations  (Ejs) modeling tool.  It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive.   Double clicking the ejs_MoonPhases.jar file will run the program if  Java is installed.  Ejs is a part of the Open Source Physics Project and is designed  to make it easier to access, modify, and generate computer models.  Additional Ejs  models for astronomy are available.  They can be found by searching ComPADRE for  Open Source Physics, OSP, or Ejs.

Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java (JRE).
https://www.compadre.org/informal/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&D...
View the supplemental documents attached to this resource (7)
  • Moon Phases Model for Teachers
    A customizable Moon Phases Model that allows teachers to set the display parameters.  The customized simulation is automatically saved with associated curricular in a new jar file that can be redistributed.
  • Phases of Moon Model: Student Version
    EJS Phases of Moon Model: Student Version is a simulation for college students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive and has the exploration pdf built-in.  Double clicking the ejs_MoonPhasesStudent.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.
  • Phases of Moon Model: Homework Exploration
    A pdf file with a college-level homework exploration for use with the Phases of Moon: Student Model.
  • Phases of the Moon Model: Middle School Version
    EJS Phases of Moon Model: Middle School Version is a simulation for middle school and high school students. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive and has the exploration/lesson plan pdf built-in.  Double clicking the ejs_MoonPhasesMiddleSchoolStudent.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.
  • Phases of Moon Model: Lesson Plan
    A pdf file with a teacher lesson plan for use with the Phases of Moon: Middle School Model.
  • Internationalized Moon Phases Model
    Internationalized Moon Phases Model with Spanish and Portuguese documentation.
  • Moon Phase Answer Simulation by Lookang Lawrence Wee
    This simulation helps provide context for the answers to the moon phase exploration assignments.  The simulation adds a local time grid as well as showing the current view of the Moon an observer would see if it is above the observer's horizon.
View the source code documents attached to this resource (2)
  • Phases of Moon Model Source Code
    The source code zip archive contains an XML representation of the Ejs Phases of Moon Model.   Unzip this archive in your Ejs workspace to compile and run this model using Ejs.
  • Moon Phases for Teachers Source Code
    Source Code for the Moon Phases Model for Teachers. The source code archive contains an XML representation of the EJS model. Unzip this archive in your EJS Workspace to compile and run this model using Ejs.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Astronomy
- Astronomy Education
= Curricula
- Fundamentals
= Lunar Phases
- Solar System
= The Moon
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Middle School
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
- Audio/Visual
= Image/Image Set
Intended Users Formats Ratings
- Learners
- Educators
- General Publics
- application/java
  • Currently 5.0/5

Rated 5.0 stars by 3 people

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Additional Information
This resource was featured by the Open Source Physics collection from November 11, 2010 until December 31, 2015. View the feature here!
This resource was featured by the Physics Front collection from May 3, 2012 until June 3, 2012. View the feature here!


Access Rights: Free access
Restriction: © 2009 Todd Timberlake
Has a copyright or other licensing restriction.
Keywords: EJS, Easy Java Simulations, OSP, Open Source Physics, astronomy simulation, lunar, lunar phases, moon, moon phase simulation, phase
Record Creator: Metadata instance created July 31, 2009 by Mario Belloni
Record Updated: Jun 11, 2014 by Andreu Glasmann
Last Update
when Cataloged:		 July 31, 2009
Other Collections:

Nice

Author: Ahmedelshfie
Posted: March 17, 2011 at 7:26AM
Source: The Open Source Physics collection

Nice applet, thanks  for share.

» reply

Earth sceince resource

Author: Nina Daye
Posted: October 23, 2010 at 3:12PM
Source: The Open Source Physics collection

Wonderful simulation for earth science too!

» reply

the lesson design is fantastic!

Author: lookang
Posted: August 16, 2010 at 10:51PM
Source: The Open Source Physics collection

I. ENGAGEMENT
i especially liked the tennis ball and torchlight to situated the learning to a real world example, a lot of teachers will benefit from this kind of insightful lesson strategy, instead rushing into the powerpoint and talk and talk.

great lesson package!

» reply

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4A. The Universe
  • K-2: 4A/P2. The sun can be seen only in the daytime, but the moon can be seen sometimes at night and sometimes during the day. The sun, moon, and stars all appear to move slowly across the sky.
  • K-2: 4A/P3. The moon looks a little different every day but looks the same again about every four weeks.
4B. The Earth
  • 6-8: 4B/M5. The moon's orbit around the earth once in about 28 days changes what part of the moon is lighted by the sun and how much of that part can be seen from the earth- the phases of the moon.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models
  • 6-8: 11B/M1. Models are often used to think about processes that happen too slowly, too quickly, or on too small a scale to observe directly. They are also used for processes that are too vast, too complex, or too dangerous to study.

NSES Content Standards

Con.D: Earth & Space Science
  • K-4: Objects in the Sky
  • K-4: Changes in Earth & Sky

NSES Professional Development Standards

PD.A: Learn Science Content through Inquiry
  • Active Investigation: Involve teachers in actively investigating phenomena that can be studied scientifically, interpreting results, and making sense of findings consistent with currently accepted scientific understanding.
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
T. Timberlake, Computer Program PHASES OF MOON MODEL, Version 1.0 (2009), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Timberlake, Computer Program PHASES OF MOON MODEL, Version 1.0 (2009), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247>.
APA Format
Timberlake, T. (2009). Phases of Moon Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247
Chicago Format
Timberlake, Todd. "Phases of Moon Model." Version 1.0. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247 (accessed 12 December 2024).
MLA Format
Timberlake, Todd. Phases of Moon Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2009. Java (JRE) 1.5. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Todd Timberlake", Title = {Phases of Moon Model}, Month = {July}, Year = {2009} }
Refer Export Format

%A Todd Timberlake %T Phases of Moon Model %D July 31, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247 %O 1.0 %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Computer Program %A Timberlake, Todd %D July 31, 2009 %T Phases of Moon Model %7 1.0 %8 July 31, 2009 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=9308&DocID=1247


Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.

Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ.

Phases of Moon Model:

Is Based On Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool

The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the EJS Phases of the Moon Model.

relation by Mario Belloni
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