Differences of the Earth, Moon & Sun - 5th grade CSE

What is the MOVEMENT of the Earth, Sun and Moon?

Earth orbits/revolves around the sun and rotates on its axis. The Sun stands still. The moon orbits/revolves around the Earth.

What are the ATMOSPHERES on the Earth, Sun and Moon?

Earth's atmosphere is thin. The sun's atmosphere is made up of layers -- lowest layer is the photosphere, the next layer is the chromosphere and outer layer is the corona. The moon's atmosphere is almost non-existent (a very very thin layer of gases, called exosphere)

Are there MAGNETIC FIELDS on the Earth, Sun and Moon?

Yes. Earth has magnetic fields and poles (north and south poles). The sun has a magnetic field. The moon has magnetic fields.

Day 7 of the cycle, what does the moon look like?

First Quarter (looks like a half moon. You see the right half)

Place the moon phases in correct order from Day 1 to Day 28: Waning Gibbous; Waxing Gibbous; New Moon; Full Moon; Third/Last Quarter; Waning Cresent; First Quarter; Waxing Cresent

Day 1 New moon; then Waxing Cresent; Day 7 First Quarter; then Waxing Gibbous; Day 14 Full Moon; then Waning Gibbous; Day 21 Last/Third Quarter; Day 28 Waning Cresent

What are the SIZES of the Earth, Sun and Moon?

Earth is a smaller planet. The Sun is 100 times larger than Earth. The sun also appears big because it is the largest star in our solar system and is the closest star to Earth. The moon is 1/4 the size of Earth.

What are the SURFACES like on the Earth, Sun and Moon?

Earths' surface is dense and rocky. The sun's surface is made of gas. The moon's surface is similar to Earth's, dense and rocky.

Day 14 of the moon cycle, what does the moon look like?

Full Moon.

Day 21 of the moon phase, what does the moon look like?

Last Quarter or Third Quarter (it looks like a half moon. You see the left half of the moon)

What does the moon look like on Day 1 of the moon cycle?

New moon. (This occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and sun!)

Why does the moon look like it changes?

The moon phases because of the earth-sun-moon dynamic.

T/F: There are 8 identified moon phases.

True. The most easiest way to understand the moon cycle is in this order: New moon, Full moon, First quarter, and Last (or third) quarter.

Day 28 of the moon phase, what does the moon look like?

Waning Cresent (looks like the crescent light of the moon is almost gone)

What is the difference between the Waning Gibbous and the Waning Cresent?

Waning Gibbous -- the moon is more than half illuminated (predominantly on the left side), but after the full moon, the light continues to decrease Waning Cresent -- you see a cresent-shaped illumination on the left side of the moon. This light wanes until the light is completely gone and a new moon next appears.

What's the difference between the Waxing Gibbous and the Waxing Cresent?

Waxing Gibbous -- you see more than half of the moon illuminated. Waxing Cresent -- you see a cresent-shaped illumination on the right side of the moon. (Less than half the moon is illuminated)