Moon's Movements and Phases (Ay’ın Hareketleri ve Evreleri)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the movements, rotation periods, orbital mechanics, and different phases of the Moon based on the 5th-grade science curriculum.

Moon

Earth's only natural satellite and its closest celestial body.

Moon's Three Movements

Rotation on its own axis, revolution around the Earth, and revolution around the Sun.

$27$ days $8$ hours

The approximate time the Moon takes to complete both its rotation around its own axis and its revolution around the Earth.

$29$ days $12$ hours

The approximate time required to complete the Moon's cycle of phases, which is defined as $1$ month in the calendar.

Synchronous Rotation

The reason the same side of the Moon is always visible from Earth, caused by the Moon's rotation and revolution periods being equal.

Dark Side of the Moon

The side of the Moon that is never visible from Earth.

Revolution around the Sun

The movement the Moon performs simultaneously with Earth, lasting $365$ days $6$ hours.

Rotation Direction

The direction in which the Moon, Earth, and Sun rotate on their axes, which is from west to east (counter-clockwise).

Tide (Gelgit/Med cezir)

The rise and fall of sea and ocean waters caused by the Moon's movement around the Earth.

Ali Kuşçu

The scientist who drew the first map of the Moon.

Reason for Phases

The Moon is not a light source; it reflects light from the Sun and appears in different shapes based on its position relative to Earth.

Moon's Phases Count

The Moon has a total of $8$ phases: $4$ main phases and $4$ intermediate phases.

Main Phase Interval

The duration between two consecutive main phases of the Moon, which is approximately $1$ week.

New Moon (Yeni Ay)

The main phase where the Moon is between the Sun and Earth; the dark side faces Earth, making the Moon invisible.

First Quarter (İlk Dördün)

The main phase where the right side of the Moon is illuminated, appearing as a straight "D" shape from Earth.

Full Moon (Dolunay)

The main phase where Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the entire bright side of the Moon faces Earth.

Last Quarter (Son Dördün)

The main phase where the left side of the Moon is illuminated, appearing as a "Reverse D" shape from Earth.

Crescent (Hilal) - Reverse C

The intermediate phase seen between the New Moon and First Quarter, appearing as a "Reverse C" shape.

Gibbous Moon (Şişkin Ay)

The intermediate phase seen between the First Quarter and Full Moon, or between the Full Moon and Last Quarter.

Crescent (Hilal) - C shape

The intermediate phase seen between the Last Quarter and New Moon, appearing as a straight "C" shape (like the one on the Turkish flag).