Draw the Moon every night
You will draw the Moon from an agreed evening time over a week. It may be hidden or below the horizon, so a missing view belongs in the diary too.
- Nature
- Explorer
- About 10 minutes
Grown-up needed: yes for selecting the location, materials and supervising each observation
What you need
- A notebook
- A pencil
- A week of evenings
- A grown-up
The rule
Same time each night.
How to do it
- Choose one comfortable evening time with a grown-up.
- Write the date and time on a notebook page.
- Look for the Moon from the selected spot with the grown-up.
- Sketch its outline and the part that appears bright.
- Write not visible if cloud or the horizon prevents a view.
- Repeat at the same time on the following evenings.
Why it works
The Moon is a rounded body with one side illuminated by the Sun. As it orbits Earth, our view of that lit side changes, giving the familiar phases. Its position in the sky also changes with date and time, so a fixed evening observation does not guarantee a sighting. Clouds can hide it even when it is above the horizon. Recording visibility beside the drawing separates a changing phase from simply failing to see the Moon.
Make it harder
- Predict the next visible phase before looking.
- Compare two observations a week apart.
- Explain why a missing diary view does not mean the Moon disappeared.
Ask Taz
- Why does the Moon stay round but look different?
- Why can it be absent at our chosen time?
- Why is the date important beside each drawing?
For grown-ups
The time estimate is for one diary visit, and a grown-up stays with each viewing. Use a comfortable location without late-night pressure or climbing for a better view. Keep weather notes alongside sketches. Ask at dinner: “Which part of the diary records the Moon itself, and which part records our viewing conditions?”
Taz is an AI and can be wrong, so stay close by. Read how safety works on Taz.
Show us yours
Film your hands and what you made, not your face or name. Ask a grown-up before posting anywhere else.
Questions parents ask
What if we do not see the expected result?
Record what actually happened, including missing sightings or changes in conditions. An observation does not need to match a hoped-for example. The listed time is an estimate and some activities need repeated visits.
Should we collect something to take home?
Follow the rule for this activity and leave living things undisturbed. A sketch and a few words are usually enough to keep the observation without removing anything from its place.
Must we show the record online?
No. Keep the record at home if you prefer. Any online sharing needs grown-up permission and the privacy line above.
More to try
See all Taz Challenges, or look through the science labs. One place for every why. Ask for early access at aitaz.com
Try it in 3D: Moon phases.