elongated, closed curve that describes Earth's yearlong orbit around the Sun

twice-yearly time- each spring and fall- when the Sun is directly over the equator and the number of daylight and nighttime hours are equal worldwide

phase that occurs when all of the Moon's surface facing Earth reflects light

a hollow left on the surface of the Moon caused by an object striking its surface

occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the moon

dark-colored, relatively flat regions of the Moon formed when ancient lava reached the surface and filled craters on the Moon's surface

change in appearance of the Moon as viewed from the Earth, due to the relative positions of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.

moon phase that occurs whe the Moon is between Earth and the Sun, at which point the Moon cannot be seen because its lighted half is facing the Sun and its dark side faces Earth

Earth's yearlong elliptical orbit around the Sun

spinning of Earth on its imaginary axis, which takes about 24 hours to complete and causes day and night to occur

occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth and casts a shadow over part of the Earth

twice-yearly point at which the Sun reaches its greatest distance north or south of the equator

a round, three-dimensional object whose surface is the same distance from its center at all points; Earth is a sphere that bulges somewhat at the equator and is slightly flattened at the poles

describes phases that occur after a full moon, as the visible lighted side of the Moon grows smaller

describes phases following a new moon, as more of the Moon's lighted side becomes visible