Phase ID & Sequence
The Moon appears completely dark from Earth. What phase is this?
New moon
The Moon cannot be seen without an external light source. What provides this light?
Sun
What term describes the nearly circular path a smaller object, such as the Moon, follows as it travels around a larger object, like Earth?
Orbit
A model that correctly shows size relationships between objects is called what?
To scale
True or False: Lunar eclipses do not happen every time Earth is in between the sun and the Moon.
TRUE
A student observes the Moon becoming less illuminated each night after a full moon. What is this trend called?
Waning
The boundary between the lit and dark portions of the Moon shifts over time. What is this boundary called?
Terminator
The Moon appears to change shape over time, but its actual shape does not. What do we call these apparent changes?
Moon phases
Scientists sometimes change distances in a model to make it easier to understand. What type of model is this?
Not to scale
The Moon is only completely dark when the sun, Earth, and the Moon are in a _________ _______, with Earth in the middle.
Straight line
List the five major Moon phases in order from least to most illuminated.
New, crescent, quarter, gibbous, full
What word can be used to describe what happens to sunlight when it hits the Moon and then reaches Earth?
Reflection
The Moon’s motion causes a full cycle of phases. About how long is one complete cycle?
28 days ~ 1 month
A model shows the Earth as a large sphere and the Moon much smaller, with distances also proportionally accurate. What type of model is this?
To scale
During a ________ ____________, the Moon is completely dark because Earth blocks sunlight from hitting the Moon.
Lunar eclipse
More than half of the Moon is visible, but the illuminated portion is decreasing. What phase is this? (2 words)
Waning gibbous
If light did not travel the way it does, the boundary between light and dark would not appear clearly defined. What property of light is responsible?
Light travels in straight lines
If the Moon is located in its orbit directly between the Sun and Earth, what phase will we see from Earth?
New moon (dark)
Which perspective of the Earth–Moon–Sun system provides evidence that one side of the Moon remains illuminated at all times? (Sim)
Top View
Draw a model showing the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon during a lunar eclipse. Be sure to label each object and show how they are aligned.
Model showing: Lunar eclipses can only happen when Earth is in between the sun and the Moon.
A small sliver of the Moon is visible just after it was completely dark. What phase is this? (2 words)
Waxing crescent
Eric has been asked to photograph three specific features on the Moon for the About Space magazine. Name TWO of these features.
1. Rupes Cauchy
2. Copernicus crater
3. Plato crater
The Moon’s phases follow a predictable pattern. The Moon is currently on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun. Draw a model showing what it looks like from Earth. Then, draw the Moon’s next position in its orbit and show how its appearance changes.
Model of full moon (all illumminated) --> waning gibbous (dark sliver on the right)
From which perspective can you observe the Moon changing appearance over time due to its different positions in orbit? (Sim)
View From Earth
Draw a model showing the positions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during a solar eclipse. Be sure to label each object and show how they are aligned.
Solar eclipses can only happen when the Moon is in between the Sun and the Earth.