Earth, Sun, and Moon System

Students are using sports equipment to model the relative motion of Earth, the moon and the sun.

Which of the following will accurately model the relative motions of these bodies?

• Golf ball moving around the basketball, basketball moving around the baseball

• Basketball moving around the baseball, baseball moving around the golf ball

• Golf ball moving around the baseball, baseball moving around the basketball

• Baseball moving around the golf ball, golf ball moving around the basketball

Which of the following is responsible for the changing of seasons on Earth?

• Orbit of Earth around the sun and rotation of Earth

• Orbit of Earth around the sun and rotation of the sun

• Rotation of Earth and rotation of the sun

• Tilt of the axis of Earth and orbit of Earth around the sun

A diagram of the earth-sun-moon system is provided. The diagram shows the relative position of the moon at various times in the lunar cycle.

We would observe a totally dark moon starting to become illuminated when the moon moves between which two phases?

• Position W and Position Z

• Position Z and Position Y

• Position Y and Position X

• Position X and Position W

Some students are using objects to model the earth-sun-moon system. They wish to represent the positions of these objects during a solar eclipse.

To accurately model the solar eclipse, the golf ball should be placed in which labeled position?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Which of the following describes a lunar eclipse?

• The moons shadow is on Earth.

• Earths shadow is on the sun.

• Earths shadow is on the moon.

• The moons shadow is on the sun.

The star that Earth revolves around

• Lunar eclipse

• Lunar Phases

• Solar eclipse

• Star

• Sun

A self-luminous celestial body

• Lunar eclipse

• Lunar phases

• Solar eclipse

• Star

• Sun

Occurs when the full Moon passes into Earth’s shadow

• Lunar eclipse

• Lunar phases

• Solar eclipse

• Star

• Sun

Occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and Sun, covering the Sun

• Lunar eclipse

• Lunar phases

• Solar eclipse

• Star

• Sun

The shape of the illuminated portion of the Moon

• Lunar eclipse

• Lunar phases

• Solar eclipse

• Star

• Sun