Earth & Moon Phenomena Flashcards
what are tides
water levels rise and recede
why do tides happen
combined effects of sun and moon gravity
difference in low/high tides
low tides on sides perpendicular to moon, high tides on sides on same plane as moon.
spring tides
when moon is full or new, earth sun and moon approximately aligned and tidal buldges raised by moon and sun add up to make stronger tides
neap tides
moon in 1st or 3rd quarter, tidal effects of moon and sun partially cancel out, tides at lowest
which tidal effect is stronger, moon or sun
moon, net tidal bulge points towards it.
lunar vs synodic month
lunar: 29.5 days, time it takes from new moon to new moon.
synodic: 27.3, time it takes for moon to orbit earth.
moon phases
at each position, only certain part of moon is illuminated and visible from earth (refer to phases image to understand new full, quarter, etc.)
explain 3 types of lunar eclipses
total - earth directly between sun and moon, moon in earths umbra (shadow) turning reddish.
penumbral - moon passes through penumbra (outer shadow), subtle shading on moon surface
partial - only part of moon enter umbra, not as visually striking.
explain 3 solar eclipses
annular - moon too far from earth to completely cover sun, creating ‘ring of fire’ effect
partial - moon covers part of sun, making it appear as a crescent
total - moon completely covers sun from earths pov, day briefly turns to night.
which phase do solar eclipses occur
new moon (moon between earth and sun)
what phases do lunar eclipses occur
full moon (earth between moon and sun)
