Eclipses
During a solar eclipse, which celestial body is blocking the Sun?
The moon
Define what rotation means in terms of Earth.
Rotation refers to the spinning of Earth on its axis.
What causes Earth to have seasons?
Earth's tilt on its axis as it orbits the Sun causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
What percent of the moon is illuminated by the sun?
50%
What causes tides on Earth?
The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans causes tides.
What type of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth's shadow? Draw a picture also
Lunar Eclipse
How does Earth's rotation cause day and night?
Earth's rotation causes different parts of the planet to face towards or away from the Sun, resulting in the cycle of day and night.
Why do the seasons change as Earth orbits the Sun?
As Earth orbits the Sun, its tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight, resulting in the changing seasons.
About how long does it take for the moon to fully orbit the Earth?
29 or 29.5 days
Explain the difference between spring tides and neap tides.
Spring tides occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides. Neap tides occur when the Sun and Moon are at right angles to each other, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.
Describe the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, while a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun.
Describe Earth's orbit around the Sun.
Explain the difference in the length of day and night during the solstices and equinoxes.
During the solstices, one hemisphere of the Earth receives the most direct sunlight, resulting in longer days and shorter nights, while during the equinoxes, day and night are approximately equal in length.
What moon phases will let you know if the Earth is experiencing a spring tide? Neap Tide?
Spring tide: Full and New Moon
Neap tide: 1st and 3rd Quarter Moons
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?
Mars
Why doesn't a lunar eclipse occur every month?
The plane of the Moon's orbit around Earth is tilted compared to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun, so the alignment for an eclipse doesn't occur every month.
In which direction does the Earth rotate on its axis?
Earth rotates on its axis from west to east.
Describe what happens in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer solstice.
During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year and the start of summer.
What causes the different phases of the Moon?
The changing angles of the Moon's position relative to the Earth and Sun cause the different phases of the Moon.
What is the largest planet in our solar system?
Jupiter
How does a partial solar eclipse differ from a total solar eclipse?
In a partial solar eclipse, only a part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, while in a total solar eclipse, the entire Sun is obscured by the Moon.
During the spring equinox or fall equinox, what is the angle of tilt of Earth's axis in relation to the plane of its orbit around the Sun?
During the spring equinox or fall equinox, Earth's axis is tilted at approximately 23.5.
How are the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere different from those in the Northern Hemisphere?
Arrange the phases of the Moon in the correct order.
New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent
Arrange the planets in our solar system in order starting with the one closest to the sun.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune