Phases of the Moon
From night to night, the moon changes in appearance due to it's phases. The moon phases are:
New moon: when the position of the moon is between the earth and the sun.
Waxing crescent: when the moon is less than half lit. However, the illumination is increasing.
First quarter moon: also called half moon (half of the moon is shadow and half is lit). Occurs when the moon is at a right angle (90 degrees) in regards to the sun and the earth.
Waxing gibbous: when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is increasing.
Full moon: when the moon is on the opposing side of the earth and the earth, moon, and sun are aligned approximately (like the new moon). The part of the moon that is sunlit is facing the earth.
Waning gibbous: when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing.
when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing. Third quarter moon: also called half moon (half of the moon is shadow and half is lit). Occurs when the moon is at a right angle (90 degrees) in regards to the sun and the earth.
Waning crescent: when the moon is less than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing until there is no more light. The new moon occurs after the waning crescent.
Below is a stimulation for kids about the phases of the moon.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/astroskymap/lunar.htm
Below is a link to help you understand the moon.
http://www.moonconnection.com
New moon: when the position of the moon is between the earth and the sun.
Waxing crescent: when the moon is less than half lit. However, the illumination is increasing.
First quarter moon: also called half moon (half of the moon is shadow and half is lit). Occurs when the moon is at a right angle (90 degrees) in regards to the sun and the earth.
Waxing gibbous: when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is increasing.
Full moon: when the moon is on the opposing side of the earth and the earth, moon, and sun are aligned approximately (like the new moon). The part of the moon that is sunlit is facing the earth.
Waning gibbous: when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing.
when the moon is more than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing. Third quarter moon: also called half moon (half of the moon is shadow and half is lit). Occurs when the moon is at a right angle (90 degrees) in regards to the sun and the earth.
Waning crescent: when the moon is less than half lit. However, the illumination is decreasing until there is no more light. The new moon occurs after the waning crescent.
Below is a stimulation for kids about the phases of the moon.
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/astroskymap/lunar.htm
Below is a link to help you understand the moon.
http://www.moonconnection.com
The Moon, Sun, and Tides
The tides on earth are caused by the moon and the soon because they are closet to the earth. The tide's height is influenced by the moon and sun's relative position to the earth. Perigee is when the moon is closest to the earth and apogee is when the moon is farthest way from the earth. Perihelion is when the earth is closest to the sun (the sun's effect is the strongest) while aphelion is when the earth is farthest from the sun (the sun's effect is the weakest).
The lowest and highest tides are called spring tides because of the springing effect of the tide. These tides happen because of the gravitational pull when the sun and the moon are aligned. Spring tides occur during new and full moons. During a perigee, spring tides are more intense.
Neap tides occur during the quarter phases of the moon. These tides also occur when the moon is at a 90 degree angle to the earth in respect to the sun. The gravitational pull on the earth from the sun and the moon decreases the difference in height between low and high tides. During a apogee, the ranges in height of the neap tides are decreased.
The relative position of the moon and the sun does not affect lakes because of the moon's gravitational pull and the water basin's slope, depth, and size. The gravitational pull also raises the land underneath and around the lakes to cause an uplift for the tides.
The lowest and highest tides are called spring tides because of the springing effect of the tide. These tides happen because of the gravitational pull when the sun and the moon are aligned. Spring tides occur during new and full moons. During a perigee, spring tides are more intense.
Neap tides occur during the quarter phases of the moon. These tides also occur when the moon is at a 90 degree angle to the earth in respect to the sun. The gravitational pull on the earth from the sun and the moon decreases the difference in height between low and high tides. During a apogee, the ranges in height of the neap tides are decreased.
The relative position of the moon and the sun does not affect lakes because of the moon's gravitational pull and the water basin's slope, depth, and size. The gravitational pull also raises the land underneath and around the lakes to cause an uplift for the tides.