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Astronomy

Phases of the Moon and Eclipses

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The Sun and the Moon look about the same size from Earth, but they are not.

The Sun is about 400 times wider than the Moon but is 400 times further away!

The Moon takes just over 27 days to orbit the Earth.

sun

ligh

t

The Moon

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sun

ligh

tThese are called the phases of the Moon

These are the views of the Moon from Earth.

The Phases of the Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

new Moon

The Phases of the Moon – new Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

Waxing crescent

The Phases of the Moon – crescent Moon

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First quarter

This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

The Phases of the Moon – half Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

Waxinggibbous

The Phases of the Moon – gibbous Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

full Moon

The Phases of the Moon – full Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

Waninggibbous

The Phases of the Moon – gibbous Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

Lastquarter

The Phases of the Moon – half Moon

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This is the view of the Moon from Earth.

Waningcrescent

The Phases of the Moon – crescent Moon

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Phases of the Moon activity

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Lunar Phase Simulator

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1. The Moon does not produce its own light - how can we see it?

2. How long does it take the Moon to orbit the Earth?

3. Why do we always see the same side of the Moon?

4. Why do we only see a full Moon once a month?

5. What is a new Moon?

6. What forces keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth?

Hypothesize: How does the Moon causes tides?

Questions about the Moon

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A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. This casts a shadow over the Earth.

Solar eclipses do not occur very often.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. This casts a shadow over the Moon.

Lunar eclipses happen in most years.

Eclipses

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Where must the Moon be for a solar eclipse to take place?During a solar eclipse the Moon moves directly between the Sun and the Earth.

What happens during a solar eclipse?

During a solar eclipse the Moon blocks the Sun’s rays from reaching part of the Earth.

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Where must the Moon be for a lunar eclipse to take place?During a lunar eclipse the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun.

What happens during a lunar eclipse?

During a lunar eclipse the Earth blocks the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.

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Eclipses

The penumbra is an area partial shadow and will result in a partial eclipse

The umbra is an area of total shadow and will result in a total eclipse

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1. Why do eclipses only last a few minutes?

2. Why do you think ancient people were frightened of eclipses?

3. What causes an eclipse of the Sun (a solar eclipse)?

4. What causes an eclipse of the Moon (a lunar eclipse)?

5. What would a lunar eclipse look like if you were an astronaut standing on the Moon?

Questions about eclipses