Moon Phases
This term describes the phases where the visible illuminated portion of the moon is growing larger.
What is waxing?
This type of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, casting a shadow on Earth.
What is a solar eclipse?
This 24-hour movement of Earth on its axis is responsible for the cycle of day and night.
What is rotation?
While the Sun helps, this celestial body has the greatest influence on Earth's tides due to its proximity.
What is the Moon?
This category of four inner planets is characterized by being small, rocky, and having solid surfaces.
What are terrestrial planets?
During this specific phase, the Moon is located between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.
What is a New Moon?
In this type of eclipse, the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface.
What is a lunar eclipse?
Earth is tilted at this specific angle, which is the primary reason we experience seasons.
What is 23.5 degrees?
These "extreme" tides occur during New and Full Moons when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned.
What are spring tides?
This "King of the Planets" is the largest gas giant in our solar system.
What is Jupiter?
The Moon’s rotation and revolution are synchronized in a process called this, which is why we only ever see one side.
What is synchronous rotation?
This is the name for the darkest, innermost part of a shadow during an eclipse where the light is totally blocked.
What is the umbra?
This term describes Earth’s 365.25-day journey around the Sun.
What is revolution?
These tides show the smallest difference between high and low water and occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles.
What are neap tides?
Unlike terrestrial planets, all four of the outer gaseous planets possess these encircling features.
What are rings?
This phase occurs approximately one week after a New Moon, when exactly half of the right side is visible.
What is the First Quarter?
Eclipses don't happen every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted at this many degrees relative to Earth's orbit.
What is 5 degrees?
This event occurs twice a year when Earth’s tilt is neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in equal day and night.
What is an equinox?
Most coastal areas experience this many high tides in a 24-hour period.
What is two?
Scientists use this type of representation to show the massive distances of space in a manageable, proportional way.
What is a scale model?
After a Full Moon, the moon enters this state, where the visible light appears to shrink each night.
What is waning?
During a solar eclipse, people standing in this lighter, outer shadow will see only a partial eclipse.
What is the penumbra?
Because of Earth's shape, solar energy is most concentrated at this location, where rays hit at a direct 90-degree angle.
What is the equator?
Neap tides occur during these two specific phases of the lunar cycle.
What are the First and Third Quarters?
This belt of rocky debris separates the inner terrestrial planets from the outer gas giants.
What is the Asteroid Belt?