You are right. The phases of the moon have nothing to do with the earth casting it's shadow across the face of the moon. That is an eclipse. However, please remember that my audience that evening was aged three and under. Perhaps if we had been sitting reading a book about it, or if I had a few more minutes, or if they were a bit older and able to visualize the fairly abstract concepts that they would have had to imagine in order to understand what's really going on, I would have given a better explanation.
But you must credit me with being at least partially correct in my description. The phases of the moon are, indeed, caused by light and shadow. (Which the web page you sent me to, Jessie, does not explain. It simply names the phases and describes their appearance.) For now, that's enough. They are very excited by the moon and look for it all the time. I'm certain that the opportunity for better information will come soon.
For more information and a great real description of the phases of the moon, you can visit this page on Space.com.
3 comments:
Yes, of course, the moon phases are caused by shadow, but it's the moon's own shadow, not the earth shadowing the moon. Picky or no, I don't believe you should give misinformation to kids of any age if you can help it, which obviously you couldn't, if you didn't know, and that's okay. They should be given age-appropriate information, but not misinformation. It's much better to say, "I don't know! Let's find out!"
My SIL once told my kids that you can tell how old a lady bug is by counting it's spots. ????? Stuff like that drives me batty, and it's a bit of a cop out to say it's okay because they're only three.
And that is my two-cents, since you brought it up.
I have a book called "Moonbeam Bear" and it's about a bear who steals the moon from the sky, because he wants the moon to be his best friend. All of the other animals are concerned because the moon is missing, and when they discover that Moonbeam Bear has it, they exhort him to put it back in the sky, which he does, but only on the condition that the moon can visit once in a while. So, any night that we can't see the moon (for ANY reason), Angie claims that moonbeam bear has it!
Hey! Something strange has happened to your page...it looks...brighter!
Post a Comment