A Supermoon Teachable Moment from NASA/JPL Edu

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What's a Supermoon and Just How Super Is It?

The term “supermoon” has been popping up a lot in the news and on social media over the past few years. But what are supermoons, why do they occur and how can they be used as an educational tool? Plus, are they really that super?

December 3 marks the first of three supermoons in a row, making now a great time to learn about what causes these celestial events and get students exploring Earth’s only natural satellite.

In the latest Teachable Moment blog from NASA/JPL Edu, education specialist Lyle Tavernier explains the dynamics behind supermoons and how to dispell common misconceptions among students and adults so they can fully enjoy one of the sky's most phenomenal sights.

Plus, two new related lessons get students making their own observations and using measurement and proportions to compare the size of a normal full moon to a supermoon.

Read the Blog

 

And check out these related lessons from NASA/JPL Edu

*NEW* Observing the Moon (Grades K-6) – Students identify the Moon’s location in the sky and record their observations over the course of the Moon-phase cycle in a journal. Read more

*NEW* Measuring the Supermoon (Grades 5-12) – Students take measurements of the Moon during its full phases over multiple Moon cycles to compare and contrast results. Read more

Moon Phases (Grades 1-6) – Students learn about the phases of the Moon by acting them out. In 30 minutes, they will act out one complete Moon cycle. Read more

Whip Up a Moon-Like Crater (Grades 1-6) – Whip up a Moon-like crater with baking ingredients as a demonstration for students. Read more

Modeling the Earth-Moon System (Grades 6-8) – Using an assortment of playground and toy balls, students will measure diameter, calculate distance and scale, and build a model of the Earth-Moon system. Read more