Moon Facts
Phases of the moon
Moon Phase Diagrams
Eclipse Information
Tides
Miscellaneous
100
The approximate diameter of the moon (in miles)
What is 2,000 miles?
100
The phase of the moon shown in this picture:
What is a full moon?
100
What phase would the a person see if they were at position U? (assume no eclipse)
What is a full moon?
100
When the moon, earth, and sun are in these positions, a ___________ eclipse is possible.
What is a lunar eclipse?
100
What has a bigger impact on the tides, the moon or the sun? Explain why.
The moon! (because it is closer than the sun even though the moon is much smaller than the sun).
100
What are the darker areas of the moon called?
Mare or Maria (seas)
200
The Earth's diameter is about ______ times bigger than the moon's diameter.
What is 4?
200
The phase of the moon pictured here (as seen from Earth's northern hemisphere). Be specific!
What is a first quarter moon?
200
The time it would be for person "U" to be gazing up at this moon when it is at its highest position. (Assume no eclipse)
What is 12am (or midnight)?
200
When the sun, moon, and Earth are in these positions, a _____________ eclipse is possible.
What is a solar eclipse?
200
When the moon, Earth, and sun are in this position, the special name for the tide caused is ___________
What is a neap tide?
200
Why does the moon get bombarded by meteors? (NOT ON QUIZ, unless bonus)
Because the moon does not have an atmosphere, so the meteors do not burn up as they head toward the moon and instead crash into it. Yikes!
300
The time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth.
What is 27.3 days?
300
The phase of the moon pictured here (as seen from the Earth's northern hemisphere). Be specific!
What is a waxing crescent:
300
What phase of the moon would a person at point "U" see?
What is a waning crescent moon?
300
Give the main reason why we don't see a solar eclipse every month.
What is........because the moon's orbit is tilted about 5 degrees, so most of the time the moon's shadow falls above or below the Earth?
300
A spring tide has a _______________ high tide than usual and a _________________ low tide. (Make sure you can explain why for quiz)
What is a higher high tide and a lower low tide?
300
What causes the darker areas on the moon?
Each Mar (or Maria in plural) is caused by volcanic plains. These are solidified lava beds and are made of basalt.
400
The number of days in the lunar cycle (from new moon to new moon).
What is 29.5 days?
400
The phase of the moon pictured here (as seen from the northern hemisphere of Earth.) Be specific!:
What is a waning gibbous?
400
The approximate time of day person "U" is seeing the moon?
What is 9:00 am?
400
Give the definition of syzygy. (NOT ON QUIZ)
When three or more celestial objects are in line.
400
Why is there a greater difference between the high and low tides during a spring tide? (Show the positions of the sun, earth, and moon).
The sun and the moon's gravity combine to pull the more of the ocean toward it (and also leaves the usual bulge on the opposite side)
400
What is the name of this crater on the moon? (NOT ON QUIZ, unless bonus)
Tycho!
500
The distance in miles from the Earth to the moon.
What is 240,000 miles?
500
The phase of the moon pictured here (as seen from Earth's northern hemisphere)--be specific!
What is a waning crescent moon?
500
The phase of the moon that a person at point U would see (northern hemisphere)?
What is a waxing gibbous moon?
500
The fully-shaded inner region of a shadow
What is the umbra?
500
Show where the high and low tides would be in this situation.
500
The name of the "sea" marked here (actually one of the Mares of the moon) (NOT ON QUIZ)
What is the "Sea of Tranquility"
600
This is the number of times that I would have to drive around the Earth in order to go about as far as it is to the moon. (Think back to our Moon Scale Model!) (NOT ON QUIZ)
What is 9.5 times?
600
The reason that you can't see a new moon from Earth.
What is.... because the part of the moon that is illuminated by the sun is not facing Earth?
600
During what hours would the moon be visible in this phase (approximate times---include am & pm!
What is from about 3pm until 3am? (will also accept answers that Ms. M deems "reasonable)
600
The fainter outer shadow of the moon or Earth is called this.
What is the penumbra?
600
Explain why there are two high tides within a 24 hour period.
Ms. M will judge answer. Essentially, the moon's gravity pulls on the Earth. The water is easily distorted and causes a bulge on this side. It also pulls on the mass of the Earth, leaving behind a bulge on the opposite side.
600
The name of this "sea" or "mar"----which is one of the bunny ears! (NOT ON QUIZ, unless bonus)
What is the "Sea of Fertility"?
"Mare Fecunditatis"