Page 2 - MM
P. 2
Learning Objective: Children will learn about the moon and its phases.
The Moon
The moon is called the Earth’s natural satellite, as it revolves around the Earth. It has no
light of its own. It gets light from the sun. This light is thrown back to the Earth as
moonlight. It spins on its own axis. The moon takes 29.5 days to complete one rotation. The
moon also goes around the Earth. This is called revolution of the moon. The moon
completes one revolution in about the same time that is takes to complete a rotation about
its axis. The part of the moon that is lit by the sun can be seen from the Earth. As the
positions of the Earth and moon keep changing, the part of the moon visible to us also
keeps changing. It appears as if the moon changes shape during that time. The different
shapes of the moon are called phases of the moon. Scientists who study heavenly bodies
and other things in the universe are called astronomers. Some astronomers are Aryabhata,
Bhaskara. A telescope is an instrument used to see heavenly bodies. Planetariums are places
built to tell people about astronomy and show them the night sky.
Learning outcome: Children learnt about moon and its phases.