Moon phases and eclipses

Front

What is a new moon?

Back

A new moon is the phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth because it is between the Earth and the Sun.

Front

What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated and visible from Earth, occurring when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.

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 cover the Moon.

Front

What is a solar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Earth.

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon include new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.

Front

Why do we see different moon phases?

Back

We see different moon phases because of the changing positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which affect how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What causes an eclipse?

Back

An eclipse is caused by the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon, where one celestial body casts a shadow on another.

Front

Can scientists predict eclipses?

Back

Yes, scientists can predict eclipses by calculating the orbits of the Earth and Moon.

Front

What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs during the day when the Moon blocks the Sun, while a lunar eclipse occurs at night when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon.

Front

Why don't eclipses happen every month?

Back

Eclipses don't happen every month because the Moon's orbit is tilted relative to the Earth's orbit around the Sun.