Podcast
Questions and Answers
What causes the phases of the moon?
What causes the phases of the moon?
- Spherical shape; orbital motion around the sun
- Cubical shape; orbital motion around the sun
- Spherical shape; orbital motion around Earth (correct)
- Cubical shape; orbital motion around Earth
When is a waxing crescent moon visible?
When is a waxing crescent moon visible?
- Near the western horizon just after sunset (correct)
- Near the eastern horizon just after sunset
- Near the eastern horizon just before sunrise
- Near the western horizon just before sunrise
When does the first quarter moon rise?
When does the first quarter moon rise?
- At about noon (correct)
- At about midnight
- At sunset
- At sunrise
Which moon phase is visible above the western horizon a couple of hours before sunrise?
Which moon phase is visible above the western horizon a couple of hours before sunrise?
How much does the moon move eastward in the sky each night?
How much does the moon move eastward in the sky each night?
What is the synodic period of the moon?
What is the synodic period of the moon?
What must be true during a total lunar eclipse?
What must be true during a total lunar eclipse?
When is a total lunar eclipse visible?
When is a total lunar eclipse visible?
What conditions lead to the occurrence of a solar or lunar eclipse?
What conditions lead to the occurrence of a solar or lunar eclipse?
What defines an eclipse season?
What defines an eclipse season?
What type of eclipse is it when the moon enters Earth's shadow but does not reach the umbra?
What type of eclipse is it when the moon enters Earth's shadow but does not reach the umbra?
When will the full moon be highest above the southern horizon for an observer in the Northern Hemisphere?
When will the full moon be highest above the southern horizon for an observer in the Northern Hemisphere?
During a total lunar eclipse, which of the following are true?
During a total lunar eclipse, which of the following are true?
Why does a totally eclipsed moon glow coppery red?
Why does a totally eclipsed moon glow coppery red?
When do total lunar eclipses always occur?
When do total lunar eclipses always occur?
Which event causes a lunar eclipse?
Which event causes a lunar eclipse?
What is the angle between the southern horizon and the full moon at midnight during different seasons?
What is the angle between the southern horizon and the full moon at midnight during different seasons?
During a total solar eclipse, which of the following is not visible?
During a total solar eclipse, which of the following is not visible?
What is a solar eclipse called when the moon's umbra does not reach Earth's surface?
What is a solar eclipse called when the moon's umbra does not reach Earth's surface?
In the context of solar eclipses, what is the Saros cycle?
In the context of solar eclipses, what is the Saros cycle?
What determines the phase of the Moon on a particular night?
What determines the phase of the Moon on a particular night?
When would a total solar eclipse visible in Montana on Feb. 26, 1979, be visible again in Montana?
When would a total solar eclipse visible in Montana on Feb. 26, 1979, be visible again in Montana?
What is the length of the Saros cycle?
What is the length of the Saros cycle?
What would an observer in London see when someone in Los Angeles sees a first quarter Moon?
What would an observer in London see when someone in Los Angeles sees a first quarter Moon?
If the Moon's orbital plane was aligned with the celestial equator, what would be the consequence?
If the Moon's orbital plane was aligned with the celestial equator, what would be the consequence?
Why doesn't Earth experience a solar eclipse every month?
Why doesn't Earth experience a solar eclipse every month?
From measuring the Moon's angular diameter in our sky, what can we find?
From measuring the Moon's angular diameter in our sky, what can we find?
When does a Full Moon always occur?
When does a Full Moon always occur?
In which direction does the daily motion of the Moon occur in the sky, against the background stars, when viewed from Earth?
In which direction does the daily motion of the Moon occur in the sky, against the background stars, when viewed from Earth?
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Study Notes
Phases of the Moon
- The phases of the moon are caused by its spherical shape and orbital motion around Earth.
- The moon's phases are determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
Moon's Orbit
- The moon moves about 13° eastward in the sky each night.
- The moon's synodic period is the time it takes for the moon to repeat its cycle of phases, which is approximately 29.5 days.
- The moon's sidereal period is the time it takes for the moon to orbit Earth once with respect to the stars.
Lunar Eclipse
- A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Moon.
- A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon is in Earth's umbra.
- The Moon appears coppery red during a total lunar eclipse because red light is better able to pass through Earth's atmosphere.
Solar Eclipse
- A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light from reaching Earth.
- A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's umbra reaches Earth's surface.
- An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon's umbra does not reach Earth's surface.
- A total solar eclipse is only visible from the path of totality.
Eclipse Seasons and Cycles
- An eclipse season is the period of time when the Moon is near a node in its orbit, making eclipses possible.
- The saros cycle is a period of 18 years, 111/3 days, after which the alignments of the Sun, Moon, and Earth are repeated, making eclipses predictable.
Moon's Visibility
- The phase of the Moon on a particular night is determined by the relative positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
- The Moon's visibility is affected by the Moon's distance from Earth and the position of the observer on Earth.
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