4.6 Earth, Moon, Sun Relationship

4.6 Earth, Moon, Sun Relationship

By Jonathan Ramey

The interactions and orientations of the sun, Earth, and moon lead to patterns that are evidenced in seasons, eclipses, and the phases of the moon​​

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• ​Like the planets revolve around the sun, the moon revolves around the Earth!

​The time it takes for the moon to revolve around the Earth is approximately 29.5 days, which is one month!

Earth’s axial tilt causes the sun’s rays to hit the Earth’s surface at different angles. More direct rays are more intense, resulting in higher temperatures at those locations

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​Earth's Axis and the Sun

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The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and the sun.

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​Moon Phases

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How does the sunlight reach the Earth?

The Earth is SO SMALL compared to the sun!

Approximately 1,000,000 (One MILLION) Earths can fit into the sun, so the sunlight is able to actually wrap around the Earth!

​This is the Earth!
So tiny!
(The moon is 1/4 the size of the Earth!)

The phases of the moon are caused by the reflection of sunlight off the moon’s surface and include the following phases:

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​Moon Phases

1. ​New Moon

2. First Quarter

3. Full Moon

4. Third Quarter

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Believe it or not, the moon DOES affect the ocean!
The ocean's tides, whether it be high or low, are affected by the moon!
This phenomena is caused by the moon's gravity. It causes the ocean to pushed and pulled depending on the moon's location.

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The moon affects the ocean!?

The highest tidal ranges are associated with full and new moons, which are when the Earth, moon and sun are aligned.​

High Tide

The smallest tidal ranges are associated with the first and last quarter, when the earth, sun, and moon are at right angles

​​Low Tide

The sun is an average-sized yellow star, about 110 times the diameter of Earth. The sun is approximately 4.6 billion years old​

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​The Sun

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