The Sun, Earth, and
Moon System
True or False:
 The Moon always has
the same side facing
the Earth.
Answer: True
True or False:
 The Moon light we
see is light made from
the Moon.
Answer: False
True or False:
 The Moon has
different phases
because the Earth
blocks sunlight from
reaching the Moon.
Answer: False
Confusing Terms:
Rotate
(Rotation)
 Spin on an axis
– (like in your chair)
Confusing Terms:
Revolve
(Revolution)
 Orbit a larger object
– (Earth goes around
the Sun)
Phases of
the Moon
 How the Moon
appears is based on
positions of the
Moon, Earth, and
the Sun.
New Moon
 The Moon is not
seen
 The light side is
facing away from the
Earth
 The Moon is
between the Earth
and Sun
Full Moon
 The Moon is seen
entirely.
 The light side is
facing the Earth
 The Earth is between
the Moon and Sun
First and Third
Quarter Moon
 Can be called a
“half” moon
 The moon is at
a 90º angle to
the Earth with
respect to the
sun
Gibbous
 More than half of
moon is
illuminated
Crescent
Less than
half of the
moon is
illuminated
Eclipses
Eclipses occur
when the Sun,
Earth, and Moon
form a straight line.
Solar Eclipse
 The Moon is directly in
between the Earth
and Sun
Solar Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse
 The Earth is
directly between
the Moon and Sun
Lunar Eclipse