Moon Phases Review Guide Vocabulary

Moon Phases

Are the stages of the Moon’s appearance as it orbits Earth

Rotation

is the spinning of an object around its axis

Revolution

Orbit of one object around another

Lunar calendar

A calendar based on Moon’s Phases

Moon’s Orbit - 5 degree tilt

The Moon’s path around Earth

Solar Eclipse

When the Moon blocks the Sun

Earth’s Atmosphere

Gases surrounding Earth

Umbra

Darkest part of a shadow

Penumbra

Lighter part of a shadow

Waxing

Increasing moon illumination

Waning

The phase where the Moon’s vidable portion decreases

Gibbous

A phase where more than half of the Moon is visible but not full

Crescent

A phase where less than half of the Moon is visible

New Moon

The Phase when the Moon is between the Earth and Sun, and its illuminated side is hidden

Full Moon

The phase when the entire illuminated side of the Moon is visible from Earth

First Quarter Moon

The phase where half of the Moon is visible, and it is increasing in illumination

Third Quarter Moon

The phase where half of the Moon is visible, and it is decreasing in illumination

Ray

Bright streaks on the Moon’s surface, caused by impacts

Crater

A bowl - shaped depression on the Moon’s surface caused by an impact

Maria

Large, dark, flat plains on the Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions

Meteoroid

A small rock or particle from space before it enters Earth’s atmosphere.

Lunar Eclipse

Happens when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon.