Eclipse, Seasons & Moon Flashcards
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43 Terms
What is an eclipse?
An event where one object casts a shadow on another in space.
What are the two main types of eclipses?
Solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.
What happens in a solar eclipse?
The Moon casts a shadow on Earth.
What happens in a lunar eclipse?
Earth casts a shadow on the Moon
If Earth is between the Sun and Moon, what eclipse occurs?
Lunar eclipse.
If the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, what eclipse occurs
Solar eclipse.
What is syzygy?
The alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
What is the Saros Cycle?
An 18-year cycle where eclipses repeat in similar patterns.
Exact length of the Saros Cycle?
18 years, 11 days, 8 hours.
Why can eclipses be predicted?
Because alignments repeat in the Saros Cycle.
What phase must the Moon be in for a solar eclipse?
New Moon.
Why don’t solar eclipses happen every New Moon?
The Moon’s orbit is tilted (~5°).
What is a total solar eclipse?
The Moon completely blocks the Sun.
What is visible during totality?
The Sun’s corona.
What is a partial solar eclipse?
The Sun is partially covered.
What is an annular solar eclipse?
A “ring of fire” when the Moon appears smaller than the Sun.
What causes seasons?
Earth’s axial tilt (23.4°).
Do seasons happen because of Earth’s distance from the Sun?
No.
It’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere — what season is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
Summer
What is Earth’s rotation?
Spinning on its axis (24 hours).
What is Earth’s revolution?
Orbiting the Sun (365.25 days).
What is a solstice?
The longest or shortest day of the year.
When it’s the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, what is it in the Southern Hemisphere?
Winter Solstice.
What is an equinox?
When day and night are equal.
Why is it hotter when a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun?
Sunlight is more direct and concentrated.
Why are winters colder?
Less direct sunlight + shorter days.
What would happen if Earth had a 45° tilt?
Much more extreme seasons.
How did the Moon form?
A Mars-sized object hit Earth ~4.5 billion years ago.
Does the Moon produce its own light?
No, it reflects sunlight.
Why do Moon phases occur.
Changing positions of Earth, Moon, and Sun
What is a New Moon?
Moon is between Earth and Sun (not visible).
What is a Full Moon?
Earth is between Moon and Sun.
What does waxing mean?
Ilumination is increasing.
What does waning mean?
Illumination is decreasing
If the Moon looks more than half full but not fully, what phase? .
Gibbous
What is a synodic month?
29.5 days (phase cycle).
What is a sidereal month?
27.3 days (orbit relative to stars).
What is a supermoon?
Full Moon closest to Earth (looks bigger).
What is a micromoon?
Full Moon farthest from Earth (looks smaller).
Can you see the Moon during the day?
Yes but depends on the moon phase