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  2. Physics Demonstrations and Equipment
  3. Astronomy
  4. Planetary Astronomy
  5. Earth - Moon Mechanics

Earth - Moon Mechanics Concept

Demonstrations in Earth - Moon Mechanics

Hand holding small solar panel against dark slate sphere with white grid lines at equatorial position, demo multimeter displaying 0.370 V in large red LED digits
Safety

Solar Flux

A solar panel pressed against an illuminated globe produces voltage proportional to incident light intensity, showing how solar flux varies with latitude and angle of incidence. Students measure the dependence …
Three fabric Earth globes of increasing size (small, medium, large) and a small white fabric Moon globe, arranged left to right on a dark surface

Earth and Moon Relative Size

Challenges students to identify the correct Earth-Moon size ratio from three Earth globes paired with a Moon globe. Most students significantly misjudge the ratio (~3.7:1 in diameter), making this an …
Ring stand with laser pointer clamped to it, aimed at a white foam block target. A corner cube retroreflector wrapped in white foam and secured with a hose clamp on a metal handle lies on the table
Safety

Lunar Laser Ranging Example

Demonstrates retroreflection using a corner cube reflector — the same technology deployed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts. Students see that the reflected beam returns to the source regardless of …

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University of Colorado
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