Earth
When it is the longest night and the shortest day, what is it called?
Winter Solstice
SUN Luna Earth
In this configuration, what type of eclipse is caused?
Solar eclipse
As you look at this screen, pretend that it is high tide and the line where the ocean meets the shoreline is the whiteboard. Where would Luna be?
Toward the back of the room (opposite direction of the board). It's pulling Earth's water toward it.
How many times does the moon rotate in one of its revolutions around Earth?
Exactly once.
What is the dark, inner shadow of an eclipse called?
Umbra
What is the scientific name for the season of Spring?
Vernal
What lunar phase must it be, in order for a lunar eclipse to occur?
Full moon
Sun moon Earth
What type of tide would be created, if Sol, Luna, and Earth were in a line like this?
Spring Tide
Which takes longer to rotate once...Earth or Luna?
Luna - 27 days (Earth is 24 hours)
What is the dim, outer shadow of an eclipse called?
Penumbra
Explain why we have 'Leap Years'.
Because the Earth's year is actually 365.26 days long, we round the .26 to .25 and add the quarters up. After four years, the four quarters make an extra day that is added to the end of February (29th).
When the moon is farther in its orbit, it cannot block-out the entire sun (during a solar eclipse). What type of eclipse is this called?
An Annular Solar Eclipse.
Sun Earth
What type of tide would be created, if Sol, Luna, and Earth were in this configuration?
Neap tide
How long does it take Luna to make one orbit around the Earth?
Explain why the term 'full moon' is technically incorrect.
Only half of the moon is illuminated by the sun.
What is the main reason we have seasons on our planet?
Earth's axial tilt.
During a total solar eclipse, what layer of the sun can be seen radiating from the sun's surface?
The corona.
When three or more objects in space are lined up, what science word could be used? (You can't use tide or eclipse).
Syzygy
Luna is Earth's moon, because she orbits the planet. What is another science word that can be used, instead of 'moon'?
satellite
Name the next four phases (in order) after a full moon.
-waning gibbous
-last quarter
-waning crescent
-new moon
What is the degree of Earth's axial tilt?
23.5 degrees
During a total solar eclipse, the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. What word means, "moon at its closest point in its orbit?"
Perigee
We know that Luna (and the sun) create tides on our planet. Explain how scientists know that Earth has caused tidal effects in Luna.
The Earth's gravity has pulled Luna's mantle and core closer to it over many years. The magma rose to the moon's surface and cooled - creating the maria we see. There are no maria on the side not facing Earth.
The number 29.5 has nothing to do with Luna's revolution or rotation. What does it mean?
The amount of time it takes for Luna to go through an entire lunar cycle (full to full, new to new, etc.)
Explain why the sun and moon appear to be the exact same size during a lunar eclipse.
The sun is 400 times larger than Luna, but also 400 times further. The size/distance cancels out and they appear to be the same size.