Part III: Working with the Lunar Phase Simulator
The items below will help familiarize yourself with the controls and usability features of
the simulator.
• If you have not already done so, launch the NAAP Lunar Phase Simulator
• The main panel has sunlight, the earth, and moon. The earth and moon can be
dragged with the mouse.
• Below the main panel, there are animation controls. The moon and earth can be
dragged.
• The increment buttons move both the moon and earth by the specified time.
• The Moon Phase panel shows the current moon phase. Drop down menus will
jump to a predefined position. Note that the phases, such as crescent and gibbous,
are more broad than the particular point chosen by the presets.
• The Horizon Diagram panel displays the point of view of the observer (and you
are a second observer looking down on that observer).
• The observer’s horizon diagram can be dragged to allow for the most convenient
viewing orientation.
• The sun and moon on the globe can be dragged around.
• In the Diagram Options panel, the show angle option shows the earth-moon-sun
angle. The phases are technically defined in terms of this angle.
• In the Diagram Options panel, the show lunar landmark option draws a point of
reference to more easily observer lunar rotation and revolution.
• In the Diagram Options panel, the show time tickmarks option displays the time
of day of the observer