science moon and earth study guide

Moon Phases

represent the eight distinct, recurring shapes of the illuminated portion of the Moon as seen from Earth over a ~29.5-day lunar cycle

Moon Rotation

its spinning on its own axis, a movement that takes roughly 27.3 days to complete

Moon Revolution

a counterclockwise movement that, due to tidal locking, occurs at the same rate as the Moon’s rotation, causing the same side to always face Earth.

lunar cycle

the roughly 29.5-day process where the Moon orbits Earth, changing from invisible (new moon) to fully illuminated (full moon) and back again due to shifting sunlight angles

Moon’s Orbit

the path the Moon takes around the Earth

Solar Eclipse

when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth and fully or partially blocking the Sun's light

Lunar Eclipse

when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface

Earth’s Atmosphere

a protective, gaseous envelope surrounding the planet, held in place by gravity.

Umbra

the fully shaded inner region of a shadow cast by an opaque object, especially the area on the earth or moon experiencing the total phase of an eclipse.

Penumbra

the partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.

Waxing

growth, energy building, and momentum, moving from a crescent to a Gibbous shape

Waning

the phase between a full moon and a new moon where the visible, illuminated portion of the moon appears to decrease, or fade, each night

Gibbous

a lunar phase where the moon appears more than half illuminated, but not yet fully lit (less than a full circle)

Crescent

the lunar phase occurring between the new moon and first quarter (waxing), or last quarter and new moon (waning), where less than half of the moon's illuminated hemisphere is visible from Earth

New Moon

the first lunar phase, occurring when the Moon is positioned directly between the Earth and Sun, causing its illuminated side to face away from Earth

Full Moon

the phase of the moon in which its whole disk is illuminated.

First Quarter Moon

represents a "quarter-way" point in its orbit, symbolizing a time for action, overcoming obstacles, adjusting goals, and building momentum toward the full moon

Third Quarter Moon

is a lunar phase where the Moon appears half-illuminated—specifically the left side in the Northern Hemisphere.

Regolith

a layer of loose, unconsolidated rock, dust, and soil that covers solid bedrock on Earth, the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies

Crater

a bowl-shaped depression in a surface, typically formed by a volcanic eruption, meteorite impact, or explosion

Maria

a large, level basalt plain on the surface of the moon, appearing dark by contrast with highland areas.

Meteoriod

a small rocky or metallic body traveling through interplanetary space, ranging in size from dust grains to small asteroids

What causes the phases of the Moon to change? (Two factors)

1. The orbit of the Moon around Earth.

2. Our viewpoint here on Earth - in space the Moon is ALWAYS half illuminated by the Sun.

How long does it take the Moon to go through a lunar cycle (revolve around Earth)

about a month - 29.5 days and rotate once (spin on its’ axis) about a month - 29.5 days

What does the Moon look like from space? Which cookie example is this? Explain.

The Moon looks like a tuxedo cookie with one half illuminated from the Sun and one half facing space.

does the moon emit any light?

no, It reflects the Sun’s light and makes it appear bright.

Why did civilizations across the world observe and record the phases of the Moon over time?

Timekeeping and Calendars – The Moon’s phases change in a regular cycle, about every 29.5 days. Ancient people used this cycle to create calendars helping them track months and seasons.

Agriculture – Farmers used the Moon’s phases to decide when to plant and harvest crops. Some believed certain phases influenced plant growth.

Navigation – Sailors used the Moon, along with the stars, to help them travel across oceans, especially before modern maps and technology.

Eclipses and Astronomy – By watching the Moon, people learned about solar and lunar eclipses, which helped them understand more about space and Earth’s place in the universe.

Identify the only Moon phase a solar eclipse can occur on.

A solar eclipse is when the Sun, Moon and Earth align with the moon’s shadow on the Earth. The only Moon phase a solar eclipse can occur on is the new Moon since the Moon is in between the Sun and Earth and the Moon’s shadow is cast on the Earth

Identify the only Moon phase a lunar eclipse can occur on

A lunar eclipse is when the Sun, Earth and Moon align with the earth’s shadow on the Moon. The only Moon phase a lunar eclipse can occur on is the full Moon since the Earth is in between the Sun and Moon and the Earth’s shadow is cast on the Moon.

Why does the Moon look red during a lunar eclipse?

The Moon looks red during a lunar eclipse because the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth's atmosphere. The more dust or particles in Earth's atmosphere during an eclipse, the redder the Moon looks. 

What two factors cause the Moon’s craters?

1. Size or mass of the impact meteoroid 

2. Speed or height above the Moon’s surface.

  Do Earth and Moon craters look the same?

No, they do not. This is due to weathering and erosion (wind, rain and plant growth) that occurs only on Earth.

what are the phases of the moon in order?

1. New Moon

2. Waxing Crescent

3. First Quarter

4. Waxing Gibbous

5. Full Moon

6. Waning Gibbous

7. Third Quarter

8. Waning Crescent