Moon Phases and Why Not a Lunar Eclipse Every Month

"On September 27, 2015, a rare total lunar eclipse of a supermoon occurred. A supermoon occurs when the entire lighted half of the Moon faces Earth [full Moon phase] and the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. At this time, the Moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal. Supermoon events are rare, but a total lunar eclipse during a supermoon is even more rare. There have been only six total supermoon lunar eclipses since 1900. The next one will not happen until 2033. "

Supermoon total lunar eclipses are celestial events that

• are random occurrences

• will never happen again after 2033

• are predictable

• will happen every full Moon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

"On September 27, 2015, a rare total lunar eclipse of a supermoon occurred. A supermoon occurs when the entire lighted half of the Moon faces Earth [full Moon phase] and the Moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. At this time, the Moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal. Supermoon events are rare, but a total lunar eclipse during a supermoon is even more rare. There have been only six total supermoon lunar eclipses since 1900. The next one will not happen until 2033. "

The time it took for the Moon to go from this supermoon to the next full moon phase was

• 15 days

• 27.3 days

• 29.5 days

• 365 days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Moon has more surface craters than Earth does because the Moon has

• a smaller diameter than Earth

• no significant atmosphere

• a surface more sensitive to impacts

• a stronger gravitational force

Eclipses do not occur every month because the Moon's

• orbit is inclined to Earth's orbit

• period of revolution is 27.3 days

• period of rotation and period of revolution are the same

• rate of rotation is 15º each hour

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The passage of the Moon into Earth's shadow causes a

• lunar eclipse

• New Moon

• solar eclipse

• Full Moon

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Based on the data, what day and approximate time experienced the highest tide?

• July 12 at 8:30 am

• July 12 at 9:10 pm

• July 13 at 3:10 am

• July 13 at 9:20 am

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Based on the data, the next high tide occurred at approximately

• 4 pm on July 13

• 4 pm on July 14

• 10 pm on July 13

• 10 pm on July 14

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Which inference about tides is best made from the given graph?

• The tidal change is a random event.

• The tidal change is cyclic.

• The hourly rate of tidal change is always the same.

• The rate of tidal change is greatest at high tide.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The Moon has a greater effect on the Earth's ocean tides than the Sun has because the

• Moon is closer to the Earth than the Sun is

• Sun has a higher density than the Moon

• Sun has a higher temperature than the Moon

• Moon has a greater mass than the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Approximately how many days occur between the first-quarter phase and last-quarter phase?

• 7 days

• 15 days

• 29.5 days

• 365.25 days

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1