All astronomy

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are the different shapes the moon appears to take as it orbits the Earth, including new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle from space that is smaller than an asteroid and can burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a type of tide that occurs when the moon is full or new, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides due to the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun.

Front

What is the first quarter moon phase?

Back

The first quarter moon phase occurs when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, typically about a week after the new moon.

Front

What is a meteor?

Back

A meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when close to the sun, develops a glowing coma and tail.

Front

What causes the moon's phases?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle in space, while a meteor is the light phenomenon that occurs when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide is a type of tide that occurs when the moon is in its first or last quarter phase, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides.