Astronomy: The Earth, Sun, and Moon

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse happens when the moon gets in the way of the sun's light and casts its shadow on Earth. That means during the day, the moon moves over the sun and it gets dark.

There are two parts of Earth's shadow:

1) Umbra 2) Penumbra

What happens just before a lunar eclipse?

Partial

The _________ is the darkest part of a shadow. Around it is a spreading cone of lighter shadow called the ________________.

umbra Penumbra

When the _________ is directly _____________ the sun and Earth, the shadow of the moon falls on a part of __________ and causes a _________ ___________.

moon between earth solar eclipse

The ________________ of Earth's __________ keeps the moon in __________ around Earth.

pull/force gravity orbit

What is an eclipse?

An eclipse takes place when one celestial body such as a moon or planet moves into the shadow of another celestial body. There are two types of eclipses on Earth: an eclipse of the moon and an eclipse of the sun.

How does the appearance of the moon change?

As the Moon orbits our planet, its varying position means that the Sun lights up different regions, creating the illusion that the Moon is changing shape over time. ... This is because it rotates once on its axis in exactly the same time it takes to orbit Earth - 27 days and seven hours

How can the entire moon be in darkness?

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth's shadow blocks the sun's light, which otherwise reflects off the moon. There are three types — total, partial and penumbral. In a total eclipse the entire moon is in darkness

Do the dark and light spots change over the course of a month?

The appearance does change because depending on the position of the moon in relation to the sun, the amount of reflected light we can see changes. These are called phases of the moon. But overall, we are seeing the same side of the moon as it revolves around the earth.

Explain what is happening during the gibbous phase:

The word gibbous refers to phases where the moon is more than half illuminated.

What shape does the moon appear to be when it is closer to the sun than Earth is?

When the moon is closer to the Sun than it is to Earth, the moon will be between its 3rd quarter and it's first quarter. So it could appear as a nearly half-moon, as a crescent, or appear as no shape at all if it is a new moon.

Does Earth have a smaller body orbiting it?

Yes

Does the moon's appearance change? Explain why: What are these changes called?

Yes; Phases

When does a total lunar eclipse occur?

a total lunar eclipse, in which Earth's shadow completely covers the moon.

When is the moon visible from Earth?

During all the phases except the new moon.

What is the distance between Earth and the moon?

238,900 mi

The moon takes days, or about a _____________ to orbit Earth once.

27.3 days

How many planets in our solar system have smaller bodies that orbit around them?

6 have moon - 8 have some other smaller stuff floating around

Explain what is happening during the third quarter phase:

At 3rd quarter, the moon rises at midnight and sets at noon. Then we see only a crescent.

Earth and the Moon Orbit the Sun Which has a larger mass, the Earth or moon?

Earth

How do lunar eclipses occur?

Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, blocking the sunlight falling on the Moon.

Explain what that means for gravity: What keeps the moon in orbit around the Earth?

Gravitational attraction provides the centripetal force needed to keep planets in orbit around the Sun and all types of satellite in orbit around the Earth. Gravitational attraction is affected by distance between the objects and the mass.

How would the moon appear to someone on Earth if the moon did not rotate?

If the Moon didn't rotate, we could see all parts of it as it revolved through its orbit.

What is our smaller body called?

Moon

What does the cycle begin with? __________ _________ At this time, _______ , the __________, and the ___________ are _____________ ______________.

New Moon sun moon earth perfectly aligned

How do solar eclipses occur?

Sometimes when the moon orbits Earth, it moves between the sun and Earth. When this happens, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching Earth. This causes an eclipse of the sun, or solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon casts a shadow onto Earth.

What does the moon look like from Earth?

The moon has dark and light spots - craters and it changes phases throughout the month.

Explain what is happening during the first quarter phase:

The moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half-illuminated from our point of view.

On Earth, when does a lunar eclipse occur?

The moon moves in an orbit around Earth, and at the same time, Earth orbits the sun.

Explain: The moon rotates once on its own axis each time it orbits Earth.

The time it takes for the Moon to rotate once around its axis is equal to the time it takes for the Moon to orbit once around Earth. This keeps the same side of the Moon facing towards Earth throughout the month.

How long does a total solar eclipse last?

Totality may last as long as 7 minutes 31 seconds, though most total eclipses are usually much shorter. Solar eclipses happen once every 18 months. Unlike lunar eclipses, solar eclipses only last for a few minutes. A total eclipse happens about every year and a half somewhere on Earth. A partial eclipse, when the moon doesn't completely cover the sun, happens at least twice a year somewhere on Earth.

What keeps the Earth-moon system in orbit around the sun?

gravity