Week 2

Question 1

When will it be easiest to see a waxing crescent moon?

Answer 1

During Sunset.
When the earth moves between the moon and sun, it sees the moon as full. When the moon is between the earth and sun, the earth sees the moon as dark.
Because it is a crescent moon, we know it is more between earth and the sun, so it will be up when the sun is either rising or setting.
Because it is a waxing moon, we know that it is moving away from the sun. We’ll see waxing moons closer to when the sun sets.

Question 2

Define:
Umbra
Penumbra

Answer 2

Umbra: shadow
Penumbra: (pen) almost (umbra) shadow

Question 3

Name the three lunar eclipses

Answer 3

Penumbral Eclipse: passes only through penumbra
Partial Eclipse: Passes partially through Penumbra and umbra
Total Eclipse: Passes completely through Umbra

Question 4

Explain the 8 phases of the moon and how much is visible in each.

Answer 4

New Moon: none
Waxing Crescent: 1/4
Waxing Gibbous: 1/2
Full Moon: All
Waning Crescent: 1/4
Waning Gibbous: 1/2

Question 5

Name the different types of Months

Answer 5

Sidereal Month: Moon moved into its same place in respect to the background stars. One true orbit. 27.3 days
Synodic Month: From new moon to new moon. Length of a day on the moon. 29.53 days.

Question 6

Name the three solar eclipses

Answer 6

Solar: Moon is at apogee (furthest from earth) leaves a ring
Total: Moon fully blocks the sun
Annular: Only part of the sun blocked (penumbra)