Seasons
This season begins around March 20 and is known for warmer temperatures and blooming flowers.
Spring
The daily rise and fall of ocean water is called this.
Tides
This phase occurs when the Moon cannot be seen from Earth because the side facing us is not illuminated.
New Moon
These tides occur when the gravitational pulls of the Moon and Sun work together.
Spring tides
The Earth's tilt causes these four divisions of the year.
Seasons
This season has the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere (the most sunlight).
Summer
The gravitational pull of this celestial body has the greatest effect on Earth's tides.
The moon
Approximately this many days are required for the Moon to complete one full cycle of phases.
29 days
These tides occur when the gravitational pulls of the Moon and Sun pull at right angles to each other.
Neap Tides
The first day of spring and the first day of fall are examples of this type of event, when day and night are nearly equal in length.
Equinox
This solstice occurs around December 21 and has the fewest hours of daylight in Massachusetts.
Winter Solstice
Besides the Moon, this object also helps create tides on Earth.
The sun
When the illuminated portion of the Moon is increasing, it is described by this term.
Waxing
Even though gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun, this factor is the main cause of the seasons.
Earth's axial tilt
The force that causes tides is primarily this type of force between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun.
Gravity
This season begins around December 21 and has the shortest day of the year.
Winter
These tides occur during a full moon or new moon and have the greatest difference between high and low tide.
Spring Tides
Despite its name, only this fraction of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun at any given time.
50%
Gravity keeps Earth moving in an orbit around this object.
The sun
Solstices happen because of this feature of Earth, which is tilted about 23.5 degrees as it orbits the Sun.
Earth's axis
This solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and is the longest day of the year.
Summer Solstice
These tides occur during the first and third quarter moons and have the smallest difference between high and low tide.
Neap Tides
How many days does it take to go from a waning gibbous to a waxing crescent moon?
14 days
During which moon phase are neap tides most likely to occur?
first quarter and third quarter moon phases
If Earth's axis were not tilted, this yearly pattern of weather and daylight changes would not occur.
Seasons