Moon Phases Study Guide

Moon Phases

The movement of the Earth around the Sun, taking approximately one year to complete, which leads to the changing of seasons.

Rotation

Recurrent periods characterized by specific weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun.

Revolution

An imaginary line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, where daylight hours remain relatively consistent throughout the year.

Lunar Calender

Regions between the tropics and polar circles, experiencing a wider range of temperature and seasonal changes due to their position on Earth.

Moons orbit

The northernmost and southernmost points on Earth, experiencing extreme variations in daylight hours and temperature, with continuous daylight in summer and darkness in winter.

Waxing

The half of the Earth located north of the Equator, characterized by distinct seasons and variations in daylight hours throughout the year.

Umbra

The half of the Earth located south of the Equator, which also experiences distinct seasons and variations in daylight hours, similar to the Northern Hemisphere.

Waning

is sunlight that is scattered or reflected rather than coming directly from the sun. It results in softer, diffused lighting and is often found in shaded areas.

New Moon

is sunlight that reaches a surface without being diffused or scattered. It creates sharp shadows and intense illumination.

Full moon

occurs in March when day and night are approximately equal in length, signaling the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

Solar Eclipse

occurs in September when day and night are approximately equal in length, signaling the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

Lunar Eclipse

occurs in December when the day has the shortest duration of sunlight, marking the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Ray

occurs in June when the day has the longest duration of sunlight, marking the start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Crater

The apparent line that separates the Earth from the sky, where the sun rises and sets.

Shadow

a dark shape produced by a body coming between a light source and a surface.

Summer Shadow

the shadow cast during the summer months, typically shorter due to the high sun angle.

Winter Shadow

the shadow cast during the winter months, usually longer because of the low sun angle.