Tides & Eclipses

Front

What is a tide?

Back

A tide is the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun on the Earth's oceans.

Front

What causes tides?

Back

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

Front

What is the tidal range?

Back

The tidal range is the difference in height between high tide and low tide.

Front

What is a spring tide?

Back

A spring tide is a tide that occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned, resulting in the highest high tides and the lowest low tides.

Front

What is a neap tide?

Back

A neap tide occurs when the sun and moon are at right angles relative to the Earth, resulting in the lowest high tides and the highest low tides.

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 sun and the Earth, blocking all or part of the sun's light.

Front

How does the distance of the moon affect tides?

Back

The moon's gravitational pull has a greater effect on tides than the sun's because the moon is much closer to the Earth.

Front

What is the full moon phase?

Back

The full moon phase occurs when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun, making it fully visible from Earth.

Front

What is the new moon phase?

Back

The new moon phase occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, making it invisible from Earth.