Notes: Phases, Eclipses, and Tides
Earth’s closest neighbor is
the moon.
The 3 objects in the sky
that create natural
phenomena are
the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon.
These 3 things cause:
phases, eclipses, and tides.
Facts about the Moon
- The moon rotates on its own axis
- The moon revolves around the Earth
- We only see one side of the moon
- The moon does NOT make its own
light
How does the moon
“shine?”
The moon reflects light from the sun.
Why can we not always
see the moon?
The moon’s angle to our side of Earth.
What causes the phases of
the moon?
The movement of the Moon around
the Earth and the amount of sunlight
part of the Moon’s surface is visible
from Earth.
How long does it take to
cycle through all of the
moon’s phases?
approximately 29.5 days
What is an eclipse?
Occurrence when the moon’s shadow
hits Earth or the Earth’s shadow hits the
moon
2 types of eclipses
1. Solar Eclipse
2. Lunar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
Happens when the Moon passes
between Earth and the Sun
Solar Eclipse Facts
Lunar Eclipse
- Occurs during a new moon
- Not everyone sees the full solar
eclipse
- You can see a partial eclipse or total
eclipse
Happens when the Earth is directly
between the Moon and Sun
Lunar Eclipse Facts
- Occurs during a full moon
- Anyone can see a lunar eclipse where
the moon is visible
- Lunar eclipses are more common to
see than solar eclipses
What causes tides?
- Gravity pulls the Earth and Moon
towards each other
- Different tides are caused by how
much the Moon is pulling on a specific
part of the Earth
How do “high tides” occur?
- Strong pull on Earth closest to the
Moon
- Weak pull on Earth farthest from the
Moon; opposite side of Earth from the
strongest pull
How do “low tides” occur?
Occur between the two areas of high
tides because the water is being pulled
away from these points
Tide Cycles
- 2 high tides and 2 low tides
- 25 hour period
Special Tides
1. Spring Tides
2. Neap Tides
What is a “Spring Tide?”
- Happens during a new moon
- Sun, moon and Earth pull in the same
direction
- Causes the GREATEST difference
between high and low tides
What is a “Neap Tide?”
- Happens during the first and third
quarter moons
- Sun, moon and Earth are at right
angles
- Causes the LEAST difference between
high and low tides