15 Questions
What is the primary reason the sun shines?
Nuclear fusion within its massive core
What causes the moon to shine?
Reflection of sunlight from the sun
What is the moon considered in relation to the earth?
Natural satellite
What is the path an object takes as it revolves around another called?
Orbit
What causes tides, moon phases, and eclipses?
Changing location of the moon as it orbits
What is the term for the tendency of orbiting objects to remain in motion?
Inertia
Why is the full moon visible from earth?
It reflects light from the sun onto earth
What causes the moon phases?
The moon's location in its path around the Earth
When do eclipses occur?
During new or full moon phases when the moon, Earth, and sun line up in syzygy
What causes a lunar eclipse?
When the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon during syzygy in the full moon phase
What causes a solar eclipse?
When the moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth during the new moon phase
What causes the moon to turn red during a total lunar eclipse?
Refracted red-colored light waves from the Earth's atmosphere
What is the 'dark side' of the moon?
The side of the moon that is never visible from Earth
What determines moon phases?
The amount of reflected light off the moon reaching Earth
How often do lunar eclipses occur?
0-3 times per year during syzygy in the full moon phase
Study Notes
Phases of the Moon and Eclipses
- The moon's visibility changes as it orbits the Earth, and the same side is always facing Earth due to synchronous rotation.
- The side of the moon that is never visible is called the 'dark side' of the moon.
- Eclipses occur when the Earth or moon blocks sunlight from reaching the other, happening during new or full moon phases when the moon, Earth, and sun line up in syzygy.
- Moon phases, such as new moon and full moon, depend on the moon's location in its path around the Earth.
- The changing appearance of the moon is called phases, with waxing and waning moons occurring before and after the full moon.
- Moon phases are listed in order from new moon to waning crescent, with specific amounts of the lit surface visible during each phase.
- A diagram shows the position of the moon relative to the Earth and the sun, depicting all moon phases at once.
- The amount of reflected light off the moon reaching Earth determines moon phases with the sun.
- Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon, happening 0-3 times per year during syzygy in the full moon phase.
- During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns red due to refracted red-colored light waves from the Earth's atmosphere.
- Solar eclipses occur in the new moon phase when the moon blocks sunlight from reaching the Earth, happening a few times per year.
- Sun phases do not exist like moon phases, but it has higher and lower energy output phases and unpredictable solar storms.
Test your knowledge of the phases of the moon and eclipses with this quiz. From lunar cycles to the occurrence of solar and lunar eclipses, challenge yourself with questions on the changing appearance of the moon and the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun during syzygy.
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