Science Study Guide

Moon Phases

Waning/waxing gibbous, waning/waxing crescent, 1st/3rd quarter, full moon, new moon

Moon Rotation

rotates around earth

Moon Revolution

once about every 30 days

Lunar cycle

1. a cycle of 235 synodic months, very nearly equal to 19 years, after which the new moon occurs on the same day of the year as at the beginning of the cycle with perhaps a shift of one day, depending on the number of leap years in the cycle.

Moon’s Orbit

5 degree tilt

Solar Eclipse

When the moon blocks out the sun creating a shadow on earth

Lunar Eclipse

When the earth gets directly in between the sun and the moon causing only the red light waves to pass through and reflected off the moon

Earth’s Atmosphere

Surrounds and protects Earth from asteroids, toxic radiation from the sun

Umbra

1. the complete or perfect shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the direct light from the source of illumination is completely cut off.

Penumbra

1. the partial or imperfect shadow outside the complete shadow of an opaque body, as a planet, where the light from the source of illumination is only partly cut off.

Regolith

mantle rock

Crater

1. Also called impact crater;.  Also called meteorite crater.  a large bowl-shaped depression on the surface of the earth or other heavenly body, formed by the impact of a meteorite.

Maria

large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon formed by ancient volcanic eruptions

Meteoriod

a small rocky or metallic body traveling through outer space, ranging in size from dust grains to several feet across

1. What causes the phases of the Moon to change?

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.

2. How long does it take the Moon to go through a lunar cycle

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?

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

The Moon does not emit any light. It ———- the Sun’s light and makes it appear bright.

Reflects

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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? Think Earth’s atmosphere.

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.

1. 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.

    10.  Do Earth and Moon craters look the same? Explain.

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