Moon phase
What dose it mean when the moon is waxing? What side of the moon is illuminated?
Waxing means that the light is increasing, and the illuminated side is on the right
Describe the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a solar eclipse. Include which object is casting the shadow and where the shadow is appearing.
A solar eclipse occurs during a new moon, where the moon is in between the Earth and the sun, and all 3 objects are perfectly aligned. The moon blocks out the sun, and casts its shadow on Earth.
Describe the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon during a lunar eclipse. Include which object is casting the shadow and where the shadow is appearing.
A lunar eclipse occurs during a full moon, where the Earth is in between the moon and the sun, and all 3 objects are perfectly aligned. The Earth casts its shadow on the moon, and the moon turns dark.
It takes about a month to cycle through all of the moon phases. Approximately how many moon phases occur weekly?
About 2 phases occur weekly.
(8 phases / 4 weeks = 2 phases per week)
What causes moon phases?
The moon is always half lit (side facing the sun), and half dark (side facing away from the sun). However, from Earth, we see a different portion of that lit side depending on where the moon is in its revolution around Earth.
How come solar eclipses are more rare than a lunar eclipse?
It is rare to experience a solar eclipse because you must be located within the moon’s umbra or penumbra. Since the moon is much smaller than Earth, the moon’s shadow is very small. When lunar eclipses occur, it does not matter what part of the world you are in, you will be able to view it during nighttime.
How does a “blood moon” occur?
The moon turns red during a total lunar eclipse due to refraction. Refraction occurs when Earth's atmosphere bends sunlight, filtering out blue light and allowing red light to illuminate the Moon.
If today is March 2nd and the current phase of the moon is a new moon, which date below is most likely the date of the full moon?
April 2nd
What does it mean when the moon is waning? What side of the moon would be illuminated?
Waning means the light is decreasing because we are moving back towards the new moon. The light is on the left side.
What causes a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth (new moon) and casts its shadow over part of Earth.
What causes a lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and Moon (full moon) and casts its shadow over the Moon.
How dose the phases change?
The phase depends on the positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.
How long would it take to go from New Moon, back to New Moon?
1 month
once a year
How many times dose a lunar eclipse occurs
happens a few times a year
How are we able to see the moon at night if it doesn’t illuminate itself?
The moon reflects sunlight.