Earth Moves
How does Earth Move around the Sun?
In a nearly circular path called an ellipse
What is the most important cause of Earth's seasons?
Earth's tilt on it's axis combined with it's revolution around the Sun
What is the cause of the Moon's changing phases?
The Moon's orbit around the Earth
What happens during a total lunar eclipse?
The Moon passes through Earth's umbra
What is the cause of ocean tides on Earth?
The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun
Why does Earth revolve around the Sun?
The Sun's gravity pulls on Earth
What is an equinox?
a day when fall or spring begins
equal parts of day and night
What are the waning phases?
the phases when each night a little less of the Moon is revealed
What is visible only in Moon's umbra?
a total solar eclipse
What is the position of the Sun, Moon and Earth during spring tide? When does it occur?
The Sun Moon and Earth line up during this type on tide. It could be new moon phase or full moon. It causes a higher than usual high tide.
Give an example of an orbit.
The moon moving around Earth
What is a solstice?
the day when summer or winter begins
the day with the most/least amount of sunlight
What are the waxing phases?
the phases that reveal a little more of the Moon each night
What is the umbra?
The darkest part of a shadow where no light comes through and a total eclipse is seen
How are Sun, Moon and Earth positioned during a neap tide? When does it occur?
The Sun, moon and Earth form a right angle during this type of tide. It causes average tides. This type of tide occurs during a quarter moon phase.
What is the length of time for one Earth rotation?
24 hours or one day
What is the exact tilt of the Earth?
23.5 degrees
How long does it take for the moon to orbit the Earth?
29.5 days
What is a penumbra?
the outer part of a shadow where some light shines through and a partial eclipse is visible
What is a tidal bulge?
The gravitational attraction between the moon and the Earth causes the water in the oceans to be pulled towards the moon. This creates a “bulge” in the ocean that is closest to the moon.
What is the length of time for one Earth revolution around the Sun?
365 1/4 days or one year
What season begins on the June solstice in the southern hemisphere?
Winter begins in the southern hemisphere
What is the New Moon phase?
During this phase of the Moon none of the reflected light of the Sun is visible from Earth
What is a solar eclipse?
This type of eclipse occurs during daylight hours and is not visible from any point on Earth
What causes locations on Earth to have 2 high and 2 low tides each day?
The Earth's rotation