Earth, Moon, and Sun Unit Review

Front

What is a gibbous moon?

Back

A moon phase that looks like more than a half circle from Earth.

Front

What is a moon?

Back

A rocky sphere that travels around a planet.

Front

Why do we see different phases of the moon?

Back

We see different amounts of the illuminated half of the moon because the moon moves to different positions around the Earth.

Front

Why is the left half of the moon bright in a top view diagram with sunlight coming from the left?

Back

Because the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

Front

When is the moon completely dark from Earth's perspective?

Back

Yes, always during a new moon and sometimes during a full moon when a lunar eclipse is possible.

Front

What is the term for the path that the moon takes around the Earth?

Back

Orbit.

Front

What is a lunar eclipse?

Back

An event where the Earth comes between the sun and the moon, causing the moon to appear dark.

Front

What is the difference between a full moon and a new moon?

Back

A full moon occurs when the entire face of the moon is illuminated, while a new moon occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the sun, making it invisible from Earth.

Front

What causes the phases of the moon?

Back

The relative positions of the Earth, moon, and sun determine how much of the moon's surface is illuminated as seen from Earth.

Front

What is the term for the shadow cast by the Earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse?

Back

Umbra.