Lunar Phases & Eclipses

Question 1

New Moon

Answer 1

When the moon appears very dimly lit

Question 2

Crescent

Answer 2

When the moon is less than half lit, but not a new moon

Question 3

Gibbous

Answer 3

When the moon is more than half lit, but not a full moon

Question 4

Quarter

Answer 4

When the moon is half lit

Question 5

Waxing crescent

Answer 5

When the moon is developing as a crescent

Question 6

First quarter

Answer 6

When the moon is developing as a quarter

Question 7

Waxing gibbous

Answer 7

When the moon is developing as a gibbous

Question 8

Full moon

Answer 8

When the moon is fully lit

Question 9

Waning gibbous

Answer 9

When the moon is declining as a gibbous

Question 10

Third quarter

Answer 10

When the moon is declining as a quarter

Question 11

Waning crescent

Answer 11

When the moon is declining as a crescent

Question 12

What happens after a waning crescent moon

Answer 12

The cycle restarts and goes back to a new moon

Question 13

What are the conditions needed for a solar eclipse

Answer 13

• The moon is a NEW moon
• The moon has to be between the Earth and the Sun
• The moon, Earth, and Sun need to be on the ecliptic

Question 14

Total Solar Eclipse

Answer 14

When the moon fully blocks the sun

Question 15

Partial Solar Eclipse

Answer 15

When the moon partially blocks the sun

Question 16

How long do solar eclipses last?

Answer 16

A few minutes

Question 17

What may change about the sun during a solar eclipse

Answer 17

You may be able to see its corona

Question 18

What may change about the Earth’s conditions during a solar eclipse

Answer 18

It gets colder, birds may sing, and stars may become visible

Question 19

What are the conditions needed for a lunar eclipse

Answer 19

A full moon passes between Earth’s shadow while on the ecliptic

Question 20

Umbra

Answer 20

The inner, cone-shaped part of the moon/sun’s shadow that blocks all light in solar eclipses

Question 21

Penumbra

Answer 21

The outer part of the moon/sun’s shadow where light is partially blocked

Question 22

Total Lunar Eclipse

Answer 22

When the Moon goes completely through the Earth’s umbra

Question 23

Partial Lunar Eclipse

Answer 23

When the Moon goes partially through the Earth’s umbra

Question 24

Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

Answer 24

When the Moon goes through the Earth’s penumbra

Question 25

How long do lunar eclipses tend to happen for?

Answer 25

A few hours

Question 26

How often do lunar eclipses happen?

Answer 26

Partial lunar eclipses happen at least 2x a year, total lunar eclipses are less common

Question 27

What happens to the Moon’s appearance during a lunar eclipse? Why?

Answer 27

It glows red from Earth’s shadow