Moon Phases, Tides, and Eclipses

Front

What is a gibbous moon?

Back

A gibbous moon is a phase of the moon where more than half of the moon's surface is illuminated but it is not yet full.

Front

What moon phase comes after the first quarter moon?

Back

The waxing gibbous moon comes after the first quarter moon.

Front

What is a crescent moon?

Back

A crescent moon is a phase of the moon where less than half of the moon's surface is illuminated.

Front

What is a quarter moon?

Back

A quarter moon is a phase where exactly half of the visible surface of the moon is illuminated by the sun.

Front

What are neap tides?

Back

Neap tides are small tides where the high tide is not as high as usual and the low tide is not as low as usual.

Front

What is a full moon?

Back

A full moon is a phase of the moon when the entire face of the moon is illuminated by the sun.

Front

What is the difference between spring tides and neap tides?

Back

Spring tides are higher high tides and lower low tides, occurring during full and new moons, while neap tides are lower high tides and higher low tides, occurring during the first and third quarters.

Front

What causes the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are caused by the changing angles of sunlight hitting the moon as it orbits the Earth.

Front

What is an eclipse?

Back

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another celestial body.

Front

What is a solar eclipse?

Back

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light.