Moon: Phases, eclipses, and tides

Moon The moon does not give off light, rather it reflects the light of the sun. The different shapes of the moon that you see from Earth are called phases. The phase of the moon that you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth. Phases of the moon Waxing: the term used to describe a moon when the lit side is increasing. Waning: the term used to describe a moon when the lit side is decreasing. Crescent: less than half of the lit side is visible. Gibbous: more than half of the lit side is visible.

Eclipses Solar eclipse: Occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth.   A new moon blocks your view of the sun. Diagram:

Eclipses Lunar eclipse: Occurs when the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon.   Only occurs when there is a full moon. Diagram:

Tides The rise and fall of ocean water that occurs about every 12 hrs.   Tides are caused by the moon’s gravity pulling on different parts of the Earth. Most places on the Earth experience two high tides and two low tides each day.

Types of tides Spring tide: the greatest of the tides that occurs when the sun and moon are in line and gravity from both pull in the same direction. Diagram:  

Types of tides Neap tide: the smallest of the tides that occurs when the sun and moon pull at a right angle.   Diagram: