Lunar Phases and Tides

Front

What are lunar phases?

Back

Lunar phases are the different appearances of the Moon as seen from Earth, caused by the changing positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

Front

What does 'waxing' mean in relation to the Moon?

Back

Waxing refers to the phase of the Moon when it is increasing in illumination, moving from new moon to full moon.

Front

What does 'waning' mean in relation to the Moon?

Back

Waning refers to the phase of the Moon when it is decreasing in illumination, moving from full moon to new moon.

Front

What is a 'new moon'?

Back

A new moon is the lunar phase when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its illuminated side is facing away from Earth.

Front

What is a 'full moon'?

Back

A full moon is the lunar phase when the entire face of the Moon is illuminated by the Sun, occurring when the Earth is between the Moon and the Sun.

Front

What is a 'first quarter moon'?

Back

A first quarter moon is the lunar phase when half of the Moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring about a week after the new moon.

Front

What is a 'gibbous' moon?

Back

A gibbous moon is a phase where more than half of the Moon is illuminated but it is not yet full.

Front

What is the difference between waxing gibbous and waning gibbous?

Back

Waxing gibbous is when the Moon is more than half illuminated and increasing towards full, while waning gibbous is when it is more than half illuminated and decreasing towards new.

Front

What causes tides on Earth?

Back

Tides are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on Earth's oceans.

Front

True or False: The Moon has a greater influence on Earth's tides than the Sun.

Back

True. The Moon has a greater influence on tides due to its proximity to Earth.