SPACE - The Moon

Question 1

Why does the moon look different throughout the month?

Answer 1

While the Moon orbits the Sun, the Sun lights up different parts of the Moon, and the angle at which you are looking at the Moon determines what “moon phase” you see.

Question 2

What are all the moon phases called, starting with a new moon?

Answer 2

1. New moon
2. Crescent
3. First quarter
4. Gibbous
5. Full moon
6. Gibbous
7. Third quarter
8. Crescent

Question 3

What is a Lunar month?

Answer 3

The time taken between one new moon and the next.

Question 4

How long does the moon take to orbit the Earth?

Answer 4

27 days and 7 hours

Question 5

What is a solar eclipse?

Answer 5

The moon comes between the sun and the Earth.

Question 6

What does the solar eclipse look like?

Answer 6

Either:
1. Umbra: Total solar eclipse, a deep shadow
OR:
2. Penumbra: A Partial solar eclipse, a partial shadow

Question 7

What is a lunar eclipse?

Answer 7

The Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon.

Question 8

What is the far side of the moon?

Answer 8

The side of the moon that humans have never seen.

Question 9

Why can’t we ever see the far side of the moon?

Answer 9

The moon spins on an axis in the same time that it orbits the Earth, so the same face is always facing us.

Question 10

Is the far side always dark?

Answer 10

No, half of the moon is always lit up by the sun, even if we don’t see it.