Lunar Phases and Eclipses
Reasons for the Phases The moon revolves around the Earth once every 27 days. Only ½ of the moon is lit by the sun. The different phases that we see result from our seeing the Moon from different angles.
Names of the Phases 1. New Moon 2. Waxing Crescent 3. First Quarter The phases in chronological order 1. New Moon 2. Waxing Crescent 3. First Quarter 4. Waxing Gibbous 5. Full Moon 6. Waning Gibbous 7. Third Quarter 8. Waning Crescent The term ‘waxing’ means growing. The term ‘waning’ means shrinking.
The Waxing Cycle of Phases Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon
The Waning Cycle of Phases Waning Gibbous Third Quarter Waning Crescent New
Eclipses
Rotation: Spinning on an axis of rotation. (Creates day and night.) Revolution: Movement of a body around something else. (Creates a year or a lunar cycle.)
Solar Eclipse The moon casts a shadow on the Earth. Occurs during new moon phase Inclination model
Lunar Eclipse The Earth casts a shadow on the moon. Occurs during full moon phase.
Anatomy of a Shadow Penumbra Region of partial shadow Partial eclipse will be seen Umbra Region of total shadow Total eclipse will be seen. Umbra Penumbra http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::800::600::/sites/dl/free/0072482621/78778/Eclipses_Nav.swf::Eclipse%20Interactive
Lunar eclipse information