Flashcard Prep Homework Moon Phases & Eclipses

Front

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking all or part of the sun's light.

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.

Front

What happens during a total solar eclipse?

Back

The moon completely covers the sun, blocking its light and casting a shadow on Earth.

Front

What is the cycle of moon phases?

Back

The moon goes through eight phases in a cycle of about 29.5 days, including New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

How often do full moons occur?

Back

Full moons occur approximately once every 29.5 days.

Front

What is the First Quarter moon phase?

Back

The First Quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated by the sun and is visible from Earth.

Front

What is the Third Quarter moon phase?

Back

The Third Quarter moon phase occurs when the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter.

Front

What causes the moon's phases?

Back

The moon's phases are caused by the changing angles of sunlight as the moon orbits the Earth.

Front

What is the significance of the moon's orbit being tilted?

Back

The tilt of the moon's orbit means that lunar eclipses do not occur every month; they happen only a few times a year.

Front

What is a penumbral lunar eclipse?

Back

A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earth's penumbral shadow, causing a subtle shading on the moon.