Eclipses
Explain what is happening during a SOLAR eclipse
The moon is in new moon and it aligns perfectly with the sun in a way that blocks sunlight from reaching Earth and causes moments of total darkness in certain areas on Earth.
What is 1 difference between the inner planets and the outer planets?
Acceptable answers:
- inner = closer to the sun
- inner = rocky surface / outer = made of gas
Does the Earth tilt TOWARD or AWAY from the Sun in the summer?
TOWARD
How long does 1 moon cycle last?
BEST ANSWER: 29.5
Acceptable answers: 27, 28, 29, 29.5, 30
In December, in Boston, how many hours of daylight should we expect to receive?
~9 hours
Explain what is happening during a LUNAR eclipse
The moon moves into Earth's shadow and aligns perfectly with Earth and the Sun in a way that allows Earth to block (MOST) sunlight from reaching the moon. Only red wavelengths (from the Sun) are able to penetrate Earth's atmosphere and make it to the moon, which causes the moon to appear red.
Which planet has the smallest mass?
Mercury
Why do we experience more hours of daylight in the summer?
The Sun rises higher in the sky (increased solar elevation) during the summer, and therefore spends more hours in the sky
During a full moon, is the moon in front of or behind the Earth?
Behind
Explain why the northern hemisphere experiences the opposite season as the southern hemisphere
When the northern hemisphere is tilting TOWARD the sun, they experience summer. While this is happening, because the Earth is round, the southern hemisphere must be tilting AWAY from the Sun and experiencing winter.
Why do solar eclipses last shorter than lunar eclipses
The moon is smaller than the Earth, so it blocks the light for a shorter amount of time
Which planet has 150 moons?
Saturn
Explain how the Sun is actually closer to us in the winter, but the temperatures are colder.
The sun is closer and travels less distance to reach Earth's surface, therefore hits a less precise area of the Earth's surface than when the light energy has to travel a further distance in the summer.
Less distance = less energy = less heat = lower energy.
Name the moon phases
New moon, waxing crescent, 1st quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, 3rd quarter, waning crescent
When the moon is in waning, is the right or left side illuminated (from Earth's POV)?
The left side
When was the last total eclipse that Boston experienced?
April (8) 2024
What is the name of the largest moon in our solar system? (Hint: it's not Earth's)
Ganymede
What is the phenomena that occurs in the north pole during the summer months?
Midnight Sun
How far is the moon located from Earth?
239,000 miles
Explain the effect mass has on Gravity
As you increase mass, gravity also increases. Same goes if you decrease mass, the gravity also decreases.
What did the Irish do during the first ever recorded eclipse?
They thought the Sun had been eaten and sacrificed humans to "get it back"
How many (Earth) years does take for Pluto to orbit the Sun? (Will give if you're within 10 years)
248 Earth years
Name 4 of the 5 factors that can allow 2 cities on the same latitude to have different climates
Elevation, proximity to a body of water, wind patterns, topography, ocean currents
How tall is the largest mountain on the moon?
*Everyone guess - closest wins the points*
5,300 m or 17,380 ft
What was the female astronaut on the Artemis 2 mission named?
Christina Koch