Earths ONLY natural satellite Moon Earths ONLY natural satellite

Rotation The moon appears to move across the sky because of the ROTATION of the Earth on its axis. The ROTATION of the Earth creates our days and nights. The moon rotates with the Earth, but slightly slower. On Earth, we ALWAYS see the same side of the moon. The Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted at 23.5 degrees.

Axial Tilt The axis of rotation is an imaginary line that stretches from North to South poles. The axis points to Polaris or the North Star. That is why we use the North Star for navigation. All mature stars do not move, but all stars EXCEPT the North Star appear to move because the Earth is rotating on its axis.

Revolution The moon revolves around the Earth about every 28 days. The Earth revolves around the Sun every 365 days, which creates our year and seasons. The revolution can also be called an orbit, which is the path of the celestial object.

Phases of the moon Phases are the apparent changing of the shape of the moon. The sun lights up the moon and shines on half of the moon at ALL times. As the moon revolves around the Earth we see only the lighted part of the moon.

8 Phases of the Moon Waxing: When we see more of the lighted moon. Waning: When we see less of the lighted moon.

Tides Ocean tides occur mainly because of the gravitational pull of gravity by the moon on parts of the Earth. High tide is at moon rise. Low tide is at moon set.

Eclipse Solar Eclipse: When the moon is between the Earth and the sun and blocks the sun which shadows the Earth. Lunar Eclipse: When Earth is between the moon and the sun and Earth blocks the sunlight from reaching the moon.