Basic Knowledge
Vocabulary
Phases
100

Does the moon create its own light?

no

100

What is the natural object that orbits around the Earth?

The Moon

100

During what phase does the Moon appear completely illuminated, and occurs when the Earth is in between the Sun and the Moon?

Full Moon

200

Why do we always see the same face of the moon?

When the moon completes one orbit around the earth, it also completes one full rotation. 

200

The moon at any time after the new moon and before the full moon, increasing in illumination

Waxing Moon

200

During what phase does the Moon appear less than half illuminated?

Crescent Moon

300

How many lunar phases are there?

8

300

The Moon phase when it is decreasing in illumination & occurs after the full moon and before the new moon

Waning Moon

300

During what phase does the Moon appear completely dark, and marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle?

New moon

400

How long is one lunar cycle?

29.5 days

400

The different illuminated portions of the moons surface visible from earth as it orbits our planet

Moon phases

400

During what phase does the Moon appear to be mostly illuminated, but not quite full?

Gibbous Moon

500

What causes the moon to have phases?

Sunlight hitting different parts of the moon

500

A new or full moon which occurs with the moon at or near its closest approach to earth in a given orbit

Super moon

500

During what phase does the Moon appear to be half illuminated?

Quarter Moon

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