Moon Phases & Tides

Front

What are tides?

Back

The regular rise and fall of ocean levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Front

How many tides occur in a 24-hour period?

Back

4 tides.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

Tides are caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans.

Front

What is the New Moon phase?

Back

The phase of the moon when it is between the Earth and the sun, and is not visible from Earth.

Front

What is the Full Moon phase?

Back

The phase of the moon when it is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, fully illuminated.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

The phase of the moon after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon becomes visible.

Front

What is a Waning Crescent?

Back

The phase of the moon after the Full Moon, where the visible portion of the moon decreases.

Front

What is a Waxing Gibbous?

Back

The phase of the moon where more than half of the moon is illuminated and increasing.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

The phase of the moon where more than half of the moon is illuminated and decreasing.

Front

What is the Last Quarter phase?

Back

The phase of the moon where half of the moon is illuminated and it is decreasing in visibility.