W^2 – waxing moon

Venus and a waxing moon, DuPage Forest Preserve Headquarters, Wheaton, IL November 7, 2021, 5:26 PM

We’ve been watching the skies in my science classes this past week. We have been watching Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus in the early evening sky. It has been fun to watch the planets as well as my students when I begin class by asking,

“Did anyone go outside last night?”

Their eyes light up and some even produce photographs of the night sky they took on their phones. It’s exciting to see the wonder and enthusiasm for discovering something new. I found the video below and I was excited to learn about a partial lunar eclipse on the evening of November 18-19. You can check it out below. I will set my alarm to see partial lunar and I hope that it is a clear night. Watching and listening to my students makes me realize I am doing what I am supposed to be doing as I begin my seventh decade today. Yes, it is my birthday, and I am 60. I still feel like a young man full of curiosity and wonder. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, thinking like a young person keeps me young and full of excitement about what’s coming next.

What keeps you going?

9 thoughts on “W^2 – waxing moon

  1. I’m digging that sky pic. I always stop and take a minute to check out the colors if I’m outside and sunset. Looks like a place that want to be all the time … between the purples and orange 🙂 making the days count!

    1. Thank you. I was able to see the partial lunar eclipse early Friday morning. I set an alarm for 2:45 AM to get up and view it. It was cold standing outside and looking up but it was worth waking up to see. have a fabluous day.

  2. Oh, belated birthday greetings Clay! And what fun you make your science classes. Things could have been so different if I’d had an enthusiastic teacher like you. As it was, I abandoned science the very first moment I could, which I now realise was a shame.

    1. Margaret – thank you so much. My birthday was amazing and made even more amazing because of my students, but that is another story. Teaching has changed dramatically since you and I were pupils. Especially in science. Wednesday morning we had a science department meeting where the leader discussed ways that we can reach kids and it was a riveting meeting. Sadly there were a few who were in the room but not present. It’s likely, even today there are still ‘science killers’ still out there. So I hack away and do what I can. It’s spitting a wintery mix this morning. Stay well and peace.

  3. I remember you talking about this last school year. The moon has been beautiful lately, setting in early evening or night, while we’re still up. Sunday night it was extraordinary, that sliver of a moon and the planet right next to it. Like an illustration in a kid’s book.

    1. We are studying light and how we are able to see things. In this case the light source is our sun and how it is reflecting off the moon and the planets and then reflecting to Earth. I’ve got the students excited to share what they have seen or thought they have seen. It is really exciting as a teacher. I feel like I am really making a difference. Thanks for stopping in. Have a wonderful evening! Peace.

  4. Super cool video! Thanks for sharing. I’ve noticed the planet alignment the past couple of nights. Supposed to rain the next couple of nights so I may miss those, but I’ll keep a look-out for the partial lunar eclipse.

    Thanks for sharing the fun information. Keep on keeping on.

    Patricia Rickrode
    w/a Jansen Schmidt

    1. Thank you. I did get up to see the partial lunar eclipse it pulled a hoodie on and tramped outside. The clouds had moved east and I had a spectacular view of the night sky. Because the moon was in Earth’s shadow, I could see all sorts of stars above me. It was amazing. The best part came when I discovered several of my students had been ‘allowed’ to see the celestial event. Hope your Thanksgiving is amazing. Peace.

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