Lunar Model Lab.

Purpose.

To model the moon's eliptical orbit using the measure of its diameter over a month, proving Kepler's First Law.

Observation Site and Equiptment.

The observation site changed in order to maintain a clear view of the moon when weather would allow. We used a telescope with an eyepice marked with measurements (scale units of mm).

Observations.

By measuring the perceived diamter of the Moon, we could determine the distance between it and Earth. When these points were plotted against time, we were able to map a rough model of the Moon's orbit.

Conclusions.

The graphical model clearly shows the moon does indeed have an elliptical orbit as stated in Kepler's First Law.