20111012

Astronomy midterm question: full moon at noon?

Astronomy 210 Midterm 1, fall semester 2011
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

[20 points.] An astronomy question on an online discussion board(*) was asked and answered:
wakeflaw...: It's noon and the [m]oon is full. Where is the moon in the sky?
Renaissance...: On the opposite side of the world.
Discuss whether or not this answer is correct, and how you know this. Support your answer using a diagram showing the positions of the sun, moon, Earth, and an observer on Earth.

*Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ar61CZuV2cMG30xXYoZt_1EjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070920161347AA9xi2W

Solution and grading rubric:
  • p = 20/20:
    Correct. The full moon is highest overhead for an observer at midnight on Earth, which on the opposite side of Earth as the noon observer. Correct diagram and reasoning.
  • r = 16/20:
    Nearly correct (explanation weak, unclear or only nearly complete); includes extraneous/tangential information; or has minor errors.
  • t = 12/20:
    Contains right ideas, but discussion is unclear/incomplete or contains major errors. Problems with either diagram or discussion.
  • v = 8/20:
    Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner. Substantive discussion, but missing/problematic diagram.
  • x = 4/20:
    Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit. Problematic discussion, diagrams with the moon orbiting the sun, etc.
  • y = 2/20:
    Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
  • z = 0/20:
    Blank.
Grading distribution:
Section 70158
Exam code: midterm01sg5U
p: 16 students
r: 7 students
t: 7 students
v: 4 students
x: 3 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student 1131):

Another sample "p" response (from student 9275):

A sample "t" response (from student 1863):

A sample "x" response (from student 2319):

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