Flashcard #7: Moon Phases, Eclipses, and Motions of Earth

Front

What is the Third Quarter lunar phase?

Back

The Third Quarter phase occurs when the Moon is three-quarters of the way through its orbit around Earth, appearing as a half-circle illuminated on the left side.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the First Quarter lunar phase?

Back

The First Quarter phase occurs when the Moon is one-quarter of the way through its orbit around Earth, appearing as a half-circle illuminated on the right side.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the Waxing Gibbous lunar phase?

Back

The Waxing Gibbous phase occurs when more than half of the Moon is illuminated and is increasing in illumination, leading up to a Full Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What shape is Earth's orbit around the Sun?

Back

Earth's orbit is slightly oval, also known as elliptical, which means it is not a perfect circle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The New Moon phase occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon occurs when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, appearing as a complete circle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What causes lunar phases?

Back

Lunar phases are caused by the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, affecting how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a solar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light either partially or completely.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to cover the Moon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Front

What is the difference between a waxing and waning moon?

Back

A waxing moon is increasing in illumination (from New to Full), while a waning moon is decreasing in illumination (from Full to New).

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1