Lunar Phases
Eclipses
Seasons
Celestial Bodies
Orbital Radii
100
What phase of the moon do you see when the moon is between the Earth and the sun?
New moon
100
What causes a solar eclipse?
When the sun is completely blocked by the moon.
100
What causes the Earth to have seasons?
The Earth's tilt.
100
When looking at a planet's "relative size", what does relative size mean?
It is an approximation.
100
What is an AU?
An astronomical unit
200
When the Earth is between the moon and the sun, what do we observe from Earth?
A full moon.
200
How frequently does a total solar eclipse occur?
Every 18 months
200
What season does the Earth experience when it is tilted towards to sun?
Summer
200
What is the largest celestial body in our solar system?
The sun, at 1,391,000 km
200
Which planet is located 1 AU from the sun?
The Earth is 1 AU from the sun.
300
How much of the moon is always lit up?
Half of the moon is always lit up
300
How are the Earth, sun, and moon aligned during a solar eclipse?
The moon is between the Earth and the sun.
300
True or False: The Earth is closer to the sun during summer.
False, the Earth is further from the sun in its orbit during summer.
300
What is the smallest planet? (not including Pluto)
Mercury
300
Why do scientists us Astronomical Units instead of kilometers or miles?
Astronomical units are larger and make measuring the solar system with smaller numbers.
400
What is the difference between a crescent moon and a gibbous moon?
A crescent is less than half lit. Gibbous is more than half lit.
400
What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?
Solar eclipse the moon blocks the sun. A lunar eclipse is when the earth blocks the sun from the moon. (We see the Earth's shadow on the moon.)
400
What is the summer and winter solstice?
The shortest and longest day of the year, the first day of summer and the first day of winter.
400
How do we classify the larger planets in our solar system? What are they called?
Gas giants
400
If we were to adjust the scale of an AU to 10 cm, how many centimeters would Jupiter be from the sun if it is located 5.20 AU from the sun?
52 centimeters
500
What is the difference between waxing and waning moon?
Waxing is when the moon is getting bigger (or brighter). Waning is when the moon is getting smaller.
500
How is it possible for the moon to block the sun when the sun is so much larger than the moon?
The moon is closer than the sun, they appear the same size so the moon can block the sun.
500
What is an equinox?
Two days in the year that have an equal amount of day and night.
500
What similarities do planets share on the far side of the asteroid belt? What similarities do planets share on the closer side of the asteroid belt?
Planets on the far side of the asteroid belt are larger and consist of gases (not including Pluto). Planets on the closer side of the asteroid belt are smaller and rocky.
500
How do scientists determine the orbital distance of a planet from the sun when the orbit is not a circle?
Planets travel in an ellipse, the orbital radii is the average distance a planet is from the sun.
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