Moon Phases and Eclipse Review

Front

What does the term 'waning' mean?

Back

Waning refers to the phase of the moon when the visible light is decreasing.

Front

What does the term 'waxing' mean?

Back

Waxing refers to the phase of the moon when the visible light is increasing.

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 fall on the moon.

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 from reaching the Earth.

Front

Can you see a lunar eclipse from anywhere on Earth?

Back

True, a lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere on Earth where the moon is visible.

Front

Why don't we have eclipses every new and full moon?

Back

Eclipses do not occur every new and full moon because the moon's orbit is tilted, so the shadows usually do not fall on the Earth or moon.

Front

What is a gibbous moon?

Back

A gibbous moon is a phase of the moon when more than half of the moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is a crescent moon?

Back

A crescent moon is a phase of the moon when less than half of the moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is the difference between a waning gibbous and a waxing gibbous?

Back

A waning gibbous is when the moon's light is decreasing after a full moon, while a waxing gibbous is when the moon's light is increasing before a full moon.

Front

What causes the phases of the moon?

Back

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