Earth, Moon, and Sun

Front

What phase of the moon can a lunar eclipse occur?

Back

A lunar eclipse can occur during the full moon phase.

Front

What causes tides on Earth?

Back

Tides are mainly caused by the differences in how the moon and the sun pull on different parts of Earth.

Front

What is the umbra?

Back

The umbra is the darkest part of a shadow, where the light source is completely blocked. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon is in Earth's umbra.

Front

What are neap tides?

Back

Neap tides occur when the sun’s pull is at right angles to the moon’s pull, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.

Front

What are spring tides?

Back

Spring tides happen when the sun, moon, and Earth are all lined up, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.

Front

What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking sunlight from reaching the moon.

Front

What is the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth, while a lunar eclipse occurs when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon.

Front

What is the role of the moon in causing tides?

Back

The moon's gravitational pull creates bulges in the Earth's oceans, leading to high and low tides.

Front

What is the penumbra?

Back

The penumbra is the outer part of a shadow where the light source is partially blocked.

Front

How often do spring and neap tides occur?

Back

Spring and neap tides occur approximately every two weeks, with spring tides occurring during the full and new moon phases, and neap tides occurring during the first and third quarter phases.