Moon Phases and Tides

Front

What is the First Quarter Moon?

Back

The First Quarter Moon is a phase of the moon where half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth. It occurs about a week after the New Moon.

Front

What is the Full Moon?

Back

The Full Moon is a phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated and appears as a complete circle. It occurs about two weeks after the New Moon.

Front

What is the New Moon?

Back

The New Moon is a phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth because the illuminated side is facing away from us. It marks the beginning of the lunar cycle.

Front

What causes high tides on Earth?

Back

High tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans. When the moon is directly overhead or on the opposite side of the Earth, high tides occur.

Front

How long does it take for the moon to orbit the Earth?

Back

The moon takes about 29 days to complete one full orbit around the Earth.

Front

What is the Last Quarter Moon?

Back

The Last Quarter Moon is a phase where the left half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth. It occurs about three weeks after the New Moon.

Front

What are the positions of Earth experiencing high tide when the moon is overhead?

Back

Positions experiencing high tide are those directly under the moon and on the opposite side of the Earth.

Front

What is the lunar cycle?

Back

The lunar cycle is the sequence of phases the moon goes through in about 29 days, including New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter.

Front

What is the difference between a waxing and waning moon?

Back

A waxing moon is when the visible part of the moon is increasing, while a waning moon is when the visible part is decreasing.

Front

What is a tide?

Back

A tide is the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun.