Sun Earth Moon Relationships

When the Moon is in the position shown, how would the Moon look from Earth?

• View A

• View B

• View C

• View D

What is the best explanation of Moon phases?

• As the Moon passes behind Earth it is covered by Earth's shadow.

• As the Moon orbits Earth we see different amounts of the illuminated side of the Moon.

• Clouds in the sky block parts of the Moon from view.

• The Moon is brighter when it is closer to the Sun.

When the Moon is in the position shown, how would the Moon look to an observer on the North Pole?

• View A

• View B

• View C

• View D

If there is a New Moon at midnight on October 1, when would the next New Moon occur?

• October 8

• October 16

• October 30

• October 1 a year later

When it is summer in the United States, Earth is closest to the Sun.

• True

• False

The seasons are caused by

• the tilt of Earth's axis as Earth orbits the Sun

• Earth's distance from the Sun

• the shape of Earth’s orbit

• the tides of the ocean

A lunar eclipse can only occur during which type of moon phase?

• first quarter moon

• full moon

• new moon

• third quarter moon

Why don’t lunar eclipses occur every full moon?

• The temperature is not always right for an eclipse

• The Moon’s orbit around Earth and Earth’s orbit around the Sun are not in the same plane, so the three bodies only line up occasionally

• The Moon’s orbit around the Sun and Earth’s orbit around the Sun are not in the same plane, so the three bodies only line up occasionally.

• The Moon’s orbit around Earth and the Sun’s orbit around Earth are not in the same plane, so the three bodies only line up occasionally

Earth is closest to the Sun during the month of

• January

• June

• March

• September

A and B each represent a type of motion. What does letter A represent?

• revolution

• rotation

• umbra

• penumbra