Lunar Phases - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 34° 06.610 W 117° 32.058
11S E 450721 N 3774499
A hands on experiment that explains and shows how the moon goes through waning and waxing cycles. it also explains why we only see one side of the moon, albeit only telling half the story.
Waymark Code: WM14386
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/05/2021
Views: 1
The plaque says, "The moon rotates on its axis and revolves around the Earth at the same speed: 27 days. As a result, earthlings never see one side of the moon - it appears perfectly still. This phenomena is known as synchronous rotation.
This exhibit shows the moon as a full globe, including the lesser known back side of the moon and its craters."
The plaque says, "Every 29.5 days our moon completes its cycle through eight named phases. This exhibit mirrors the moon's phases."
Scientific Principle(s) being demonstrated:
Tidal locking (synchronous rotation)
Briefly explain if the experiment was effective for you. Could it have been better?:
Eh, not really. As a planetary science minor this does an okay job at explaining it. In reality, the moon is tidally locked which is why we only see one side of it and it is why it rotates at the same speed it orbits.
When is the apparatus/experiment available to the public:
24/7
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Visit Instructions:
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