Phases, Eclipses, and Tides
Phases – different shapes of the moon you see from Earth.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Eclipse – an object in space comes between the sun and a
third object and it casts a shadow on that object.
Solar Eclipse – when the moon blocks the view of the sun.
Umbra – very darkest part of the moon’s shadow
Penumbra – larger part of the shadow that is less dark
Lunar Eclipse – occurs during a full moon when the Earth
is directly between the moon and the sun
Tides – rise and fall of ocean water caused by differences in
how much the moon’s gravity pulls on different parts of Earth
Spring – force produces a tide with the
greatest difference between low and high
tides – during a full and new moon
Neap – tide with least difference
between low and high tides – during
the first and third quarter moon
Earth’s Moon
The surface has many different features,
including:
Maria – dark, flat areas made from
hardened rock from huge lava flows
Craters – large round pits caused by the
impacts of meteoroids
Highlands – rugged moon surface, lighter
in color
Statistics:
The moon is very dry and airless, it has no liquid water
It is small compared to earth – 3476 km
It has a large variation in surface temperature throughout the
day – 130oC to -180oC
Thought to exist because of the collision theory and that it was
once part of Earth