Astronomy and Earth Science Terms

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Equinox

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The two days of the year on which neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun.

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Lunar Eclipse

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The blocking of sunlight to the Moon that occurs when Earth is directly between the Sun and Moon.

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Neap Tide

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A tide with the least difference between low and high tide that occurs when the Sun and Moon pull at right angles to each other.

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Phase

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One of the different shapes of the Moon as seen from Earth.

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Revolution

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The movement of an object around another object.

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Rotation

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The spinning motion of a planet about its axis.

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Solar Eclipse

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The blocking of sunlight to Earth that occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth.

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Solstice

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The two days of the year on which the noon sun is directly overhead at either 23.5° south or 23.5° north.

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Spring Tide

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A tide with the greatest difference between high and low tide that occurs when the sun and moon are aligned with Earth.

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Tides

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The daily rise and fall of Earth's waters on the shores.