Phases of the Moon Amplify Critical Junction

the shape of the illuminated part of the Moon as it appears from Earth

• lunar eclipse

• moon phase

• orbit

• sun

• model

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a moon phase where the illuminated portion of the Moon is not visible from the Earth

• new moon

• full moon

• gibbous moon

• waning

• waxing

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a moon phase that looks like half a circle from Earth

• quarter moon

• full moon

• new moon

• gibbous moon

• crescent moon

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the border between light and dark on the Moon

• illuminate

• terminator

• solar system

• pattern

• model

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the amount of time it takes for a planet to complete one orbit around a star or stars

• model

• orbit

• terminator

• year

• solar system

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

Why does Susan’s diagram show that it’s bright on the left half of the Moon?

• Because Susan’s diagram is showing that the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

• Because Susan’s diagram is showing that the half of the Moon that is NOT facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

• Because Susan’s diagram is showing that the half of the Moon is always seen from Earth

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Astronomers made two observations of the Moon that were several days apart. Their observations are shown in the diagram above. The light part of the Moon appeared to get larger over time. Why did this happen?

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon moved so that the astronomers were able to see more of the half that faces the sun.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon rotated so that more of the light-colored rock on the Moon’s surface faced Earth.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, Earth moved so its shadow was blocking less of the Moon so the astronomers were able to see more of it.

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The diagrams above show Earth and the Moon in different positions, as seen from above (top view). Sunlight is coming from the left, but these diagrams do not show what parts of Earth or the Moon are light or dark.

Could the half of the Moon that faces Earth ever be completely dark in any of these diagrams?

• No, the Moon is always lit by the sun.

• Yes, always in Diagram 1

• Yes, always in Diagrams 1 and 3, but never in Diagram 2.

• Yes, always in Diagram 1, but never in Diagrams 2 or 3.

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Three people made the diagrams above to show what they think the Moon looks like when it is seen from above (top view). In these diagrams, the sunlight is coming from the left, as shown by the arrows. Which diagram is accurate and why?

• Diagram A is accurate because the half of the Moon that is facing the sun is lit by the sun, and the other half is dark.

• Diagram B is accurate because the whole Moon is bright as long as there are no shadows covering parts of it.

• Diagram C is accurate because the Moon is almost as close as it can be to the sun, and so the Moon is almost fully lit by the sun.

• All three diagrams are sometimes accurate because the Moon has some lighter-colored rock and some darker-colored rock, and the half of the Moon with the lighter-colored rock rotates to face different directions.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

A student astronomer went outside and made two observations of the Moon that were several days apart. Her observations are shown in the diagram above. The light part of the Moon appeared to get smaller over time. Why did this happen?

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon moved so that the student astronomer was able to see less of the half that faces the sun.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon rotated so that less of the light-colored rock on the Moon’s surface faced Earth.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, Earth moved so its shadow was blocking more of the Moon so the student astronomer was able to see less of it.

• Between the first observation and the second observation, the Moon moved farther away from the sun so less sunlight reached the Moon’s surface.

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