Day/Night Seasons & Lunar Cycle

Front

What is the lunar cycle?

Back

The lunar cycle is the sequence of phases the moon goes through as it orbits the Earth, typically taking about 29.5 days to complete.

Front

What are the main phases of the moon?

Back

The main phases of the moon are New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What causes the different phases of the moon?

Back

The different phases of the moon are caused by the changing angles of sunlight hitting the moon as it orbits the Earth.

Front

What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon occurs when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it appear fully round.

Front

What is a new moon?

Back

A new moon occurs when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

How long does it take for the moon to go through all its phases?

Back

It takes about 29.5 days for the moon to complete its full cycle of phases.

Front

What is the significance of the first quarter moon?

Back

The first quarter moon occurs about a week after the new moon, when half of the moon's surface is illuminated, and it is a key point in the lunar cycle.

Front

What is the last quarter moon?

Back

The last quarter moon occurs about three weeks after the new moon, when the opposite half of the moon's surface is illuminated compared to the first quarter.

Front

How does the tilt of the Earth's axis affect seasons?

Back

The tilt of the Earth's axis (approximately 23.5 degrees) causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, leading to the changing seasons.

Front

What would happen if the Earth were not tilted on its axis?

Back

If the Earth were not tilted on its axis, there would be no significant seasonal changes; temperatures would remain relatively constant throughout the year.