1. "Skywatcher's Guide to the Moon"
What are the theories about the formation of the Moon? What evidence is there for these theories? What problems did Alan Shepard and his crew encounter on Apollo 14? Why do some scientists think the Moon is a planet? What effect does the Moon have on the Earth's oceans and our tides? Finally, is the Moon moving closer to or farther from the Earth, or is it not remaining at a constant distance-and how do we know?

Visit the links below to discover more about the Moon and to answer the questions above.

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
Some of you probably weren't yet born when Neil Alden Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969, and within our lifetimes probably few of us will be able to get that first-hand view that he and Buzz Aldrin got that day. So, we'll just have to settle for moon watching here on Earth-and it doesn't take any sophisticated equipment to do this.

• Visit http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/moon_guide.html and learn how to "read the moon."
• We'll take some side trips along the way, and the first is to click on the link to the "Printable Moon Map" and print that out.
• Describe the different areas of the moon that are depicted on the map. Now you can begin by going through the three steps, noticing that you are first advised not to use a telescope until after you've explored with the naked eye. What story does the moon tell? What kinds of rock can you see even without a telescope? What are the dark areas that you see?
• Okay, now you can pick up your binoculars or telescope to look at surface features-what can you learn about the moon from looking at the craters? Contrast the younger craters with those that are older. What is the "Man in the Moon," and what was "he" called by the Aztecs and Maya? What features can you observe during the first or last quarter of the moon's phases?
• Having gone through the three lessons on reading the moon, you can now check out some interesting tidbits about the moon. If you scroll down to the bottom of Step 3 and click on the link http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/top_10_cool_moon_facts_10.html "Top 10 Cool Facts," you'll find yourself at Number 10, then as you click the moon icon (Next Cool Fact) you will go to the next interesting fact, in descending order, until you get to Number 1. What are the ten facts that you've learned?
• As you go through these, notice that there are three links to additional information ("A Carnival of Collisions" in #10, "Thirty Years Ago: Apollo 14's Narrow Escape" in #8, and "More Moons Around Earth? It's Not So Loony" in #6)-link to each of these, then move back to the facts.
• What are the theories about the formation of the moon? What evidence is there for these theories? What problems did Alan Shepard and his crew encounter on Apollo 14? What did you learn about the Earth and its moon(s)? How is the moon shaped? Why do some scientists think the moon is a planet? What effect does the moon have on the Earth's oceans and our tides? Finally, is the moon moving closer to or farther from the Earth, or is it not remaining at a constant distance-and how do we know?

After You Answer the Questions
Think about what you've learned from reading these pages and using the information to watch the moon-how can what you've learned and seen have an impact on your life (do, indeed, use your imagination!)?

2. The Great Moon Hoax-Can You Really Believe We've Been There?
Have you ever wondered whether our astronauts really did go to the moon, walk on its surface, and bring back specimens of rock and other artifacts? Apparently some have wondered. Follow the recommended links at below to learn about the great moon hoax. Summarize the "evidence" presented by both sides to point to either a "conspiracy" or a true event. What fallacies might you point out in either argument?

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
One of the Big Questions presented in the previous exercise is whether other life forms exist in the universe. For life to exist elsewhere, the planets must be habitable-and NASA is actively searching.

• Click on http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com and then http://www.thursdaysclassroom.com/index_01apr01.html to link to the "The Great Moon Hoax."
• When you get there, first check out the "Four Facts about the Moon Hoax" on the left side of the page, as well as "Proof Positive: Five Reasons to Believe," then read the short article, which is only six paragraphs.
• But don't stop there, we've still got a long way to go-and here you'll be able to test out the critical thinking skills you developed by doing the very first of these web site exercises (1.1 Method to the Madness).
• At the end of paragraph six, link to the article, "The Great Moon Hoax." http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23feb_2.htm (Do click on the link by the photo of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin placing the flag on the moon to learn a bit more about that historic event and also go to the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility)
• As you read through the article, click on the various links to investigate this landmark event in space exploration, and jot down the evidence to support the fact that the mission actually took place.
• Now, go to the "Bad Astronomy" web site http://www.badastronomy.com./bad/tv/foxapollo.html Here you will find a rather long, but definitely worthwhile discussion of the conspiracy theory, presented point by point.
• One other site to check out in this connection is "Moon Hoax?", located at http://www.redzero.demon.co.uk/moonhoax/header.html-go ahead and check out some of the links at that site.

After You Answer the Questions
Finally, if you have any children in your life (your own, your younger siblings, nieces and nephews, etc.), involve them by going to the appropriate links at Thursday's Classroom that are located at the end of the first section of this exercise-you might find that as you get kids excited in science you'll become even more engaged yourself!