What vocabulary term do we use for the shape of the moon as seen from Earth?
Phase
100
Why are some constellations only visible at certain times of the year?
Because the Earth REVOLVES around the sun therefore we see different stars when we are in different parts of our orbit
100
What are tides?
The regular rise and fall of the waters on Earth
100
Describe the arrangement of the Earth, moon, and sun during a full moon.
Sun - Earth - Moon
100
About how much of the moon is visible to Earth during the waning gibbous phase? Which side is lit?
About 3/4; the left side
200
What phase of the moon is it when we can see the whole lighted half?
Full Moon
200
What age is our sun?
Middle aged
200
What causes the tides?
The gravitational pull of the moon and to a much lesser extent the sun
200
Describe the difference between the waxing and waning phases of the moon. Which side of the moon is lit during these phases?
Waxing occurs when the moon is gradually appearing larger (right side is lit); waning occurs when the moon is gradually appearing smaller (left side is lit)
200
How much of the moon is always reflecting light from the sun?
Half of the moon (but this entire half is not always visible to us on Earth which is why we have phases)
300
Why do the constellations move across the night sky?
Because of the Earth's ROTATION
300
The sun gives us what two kinds of energy?
Heat and light
300
During what moon phase can a lunar eclipse occur?
Full moon
300
Why does the moon look about as large as the sun?
Because the moon is much closer to the Earth than the sun
300
What influences a star's magnitude? Be specific.
Distance from Earth (closer = brighter), size of the star (larger = brighter), color/temperature of the star (blue = hot = bright, red = cool = dim)
400
What is magnitude (in relation to our space unit)?
The brightness of a star
400
Of what gas is the sun made up mostly?
Hydrogen - which turns into helium as it burns
400
During what phases do the lowest tides of the month occur? What type of angle is formed by the Earth, moon, and sun during these phases? What are these tides called?
First and Last Quarter moons - right angles - NEAP tides
400
What is the length of the moon's orbit? How many phases occur during this time?
29 and half days; 8 phases
400
Why is the same side of the moon always facing the Earth?
Because the moon's revolution and rotation periods are the same (both 29 and half days)
500
What happens during a lunar eclipse? Be specific.
The shadow of the Earth falls on the moon; the Earth's atmosphere filters and refracts light causing the moon to appear red
500
What two things does the color of a star tell us?
Its temperature and magnitude
500
Describe the arrangement of the Earth, moon, and sun when tides are the highest. What are these tides called?
Sun - Earth - moon (full moon) or Sun - moon - Earth (new moon) SPRING TIDES
500
Describe 3 characteristics of the moon.
Rocky, dusty, revolves around the Earth, rotates on an axis, no atmosphere, has water (recent discovery)
500
What is the difference a beach at high tide and a beach at low tide? What causes the differences?
Moon's gravitation pull causes the changes in the tides; at high tide the water is way up onto the land covering the beach; at low tide the water would be further out, leaving lots of the beach visible