Solar Eclipses
What happens during a solar eclipse?
The Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight.
What happens during a lunar eclipse?
Earth is between the Sun and Moon, and Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon.
What phase of the Moon do we see when the entire Moon is lit up?
Full Moon
How many seasons are there on Earth?
four
How long does it take Earth to orbit once around the Sun?
365 days (1 year)
Which eclipse occurs when only part of the Sun is covered by the Moon?
Partial Solar Eclipse
In what phase must the Moon be for a lunar eclipse to happen?
Full Moon
What comes after the new moon?
Waxing Crescent
What causes the seasons on Earth?
The tilt of Earth’s axis.
What is the name for the path Earth takes around the Sun?
orbit (revolution)
In what phase must the Moon be for a solar eclipse to occur?
New Moon
What is the lighter part of Earth’s shadow called?
the penumbra
Which phase looks like half the Moon is lit, but growing larger?
First Quarter
When the Northern Hemisphere has summer, what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
winter
How long does it take the Moon to go through all its phases from new moon back to new moon?
29-30 days
What is the darkest part of the shadow called during a solar eclipse?
the umbra
Which type of lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely into Earth’s umbra?
Total Lunar Eclipse
What is it called when the lit portion of the Moon is shrinking?
Waning
Why are summers hotter than winters?
Earth’s tilt makes sunlight hit more directly and for longer hours.
What is the imaginary line Earth spins on?
axis (rotation)
Why don’t solar eclipses happen every month?
The Moon’s orbit is tilted, so the Sun, Moon, and Earth don’t always line up perfectly.
Why can a lunar eclipse be seen by more people on Earth than a solar eclipse?
Because Earth’s shadow is much larger than the Moon’s shadow, so it covers more area.
Put these phases in order starting with new moon: First Quarter, Full Moon, Third Quarter, Waxing Crescent.
New Moon → Waxing Crescent → First Quarter → Full Moon → Third Quarter
On which two days are day and night equal in length?
Equinoxes (spring and fall)
Why do we always see the same side of the Moon from Earth?
The Moon rotates once on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit Earth (synchronous rotation).