Sun, Moon, & Eclipses Flashcards
The changing appearance of the Moon as seen from Earth when different amounts of the Moon are lit up by the Sun.
Moon Phases
The phase when we see the Moon completely lit up.
Full Moon
The phase when we see less than half of the Moon lit up.
Crescent Moon
The phase when we see half of the Moon lit up.
Quarter Moon
The phase when we see more than half of the Moon lit up.
Gibbous Moon
The phase when we can’t see the Moon because the night side is facing us.
New Moon
The time it takes for the Moon to orbit Earth.
28 days ( one Moonth!)
Anything related to the Moon.
Lunar
Any part of the Lunar cycle where the Moon appears to grow bigger each day.
Waxing
Any part of the Lunar cycle where the Moon appears to shrink smaller each day.
Waning
Large, smooth, dark areas on the Moon formed by lava flows. Ancient people thought that they were oceans.
Maria
Rocky, cratered, light regions of the Moon with mountains.
Lunar Highlands
A circular hole formed by a volcanic eruption.
Volcanic Crater
A circular hole formed when a meteor crashed into a planet or moon.
Impact Crater
Lines of material blasted out of an impact crater.
Rays
The rock, sand, and dust blasted out of an impact crater.
Ejecta
The layer of sand and dust that covers the surface of the Moon, kind of like soil.
Regolith
A curving valley on the Moon formed when the crust cooled and shrank.
Rille
Describe the temperatures on the Moon.
Hotter than Earth during the day, but colder than Earth at night.
Describe the atmosphere of the Moon.
There is almost NO atmosphere on the Moon!
Describe erosion on the Moon.
Since there is no water and no air, the Moon does not have wind or water erosion. However, meteor impacts can erode the Lunar surface.
Describe the Moon’s geology.
Most Moon rocks are volcanic. The Moon has small Moonquakes.
The first person to walk on the Moon was….
Neil Armstrong
The first mission to land on the Moon was…
Apollo 11
The Moon mission that almost ended in disaster after an explosion, but was able to solve the problem and return to Earth safely.
Apollo 13
Later Moon missions brought this device that helped them cover more ground than walking.
The Lunar Rover
Describe the gravity on the Moon.
Less than Earth (about 1/6), so it is easy to jump a long distance and launch spacecraft.
The “surface” of the Sun that we see every day - it’s name translates to “the ball of light.”
Photosphere
The pinkish layer of the Sun just above the surface - it’s name translates to “the ball of color.”
Chromosphere
The thin (but super hot) outer layer of the Sun - it’s name translates to “the crown.”
Corona
A gap in the corona where the solar wind exits the Sun.
Coronal Hole
An extension of the corona reaching farther out into space.
Coronal Streamer
A curving pink eruption rising up from the chromosphere.
Prominence
A massive explosion sending particles and energy off of the Sun.
Solar Flare
A continuous stream of electrically charged particles that flow off of the Sun into space.
Solar Wind
The center of the Sun where energy is released by nuclear fusion.
Core
The solar layer above the core where energy travels outward by radiation.
Radiative Zone
The solar layer below the photosphere where energy travels outward by convection.
Convective Zone
The process that the Sun uses to release energy.
Nuclear Fusion
The fuel used by the Sun tin nuclear fusion, which makes up most of the Sun’s mass.
Hydrogen
The result of nuclear fusion, which makes up a small part of the Sun’s mass.
Helium
Describe the process of nuclear fusion.
Four hydrogen atoms are smashed together by the strong gravity inside the Sun, which turns them into one helium atom while releasing energy.
Anything related to the Sun.
Solar
The distance between Earth and the Sun.
One Astronomical Unit, which equals about 93 million miles.
Dark regions in the photosphere that are cooler than their surroundings. Usually they occur in pairs that are connected by magnetic fields.
Sunspots
The fourth state of matter (after solid, liquid, and gas) which is a superheated gas that has lost its electrons - superhot and electrified, it makes up most of the Sun.
Plasma
An event when the Moon blocks out the Sun as the Moon’s shadow passes over the Earth.
Solar Eclipse
When the Moon completely blocks out the Sun, it results in a…
Total Solar Eclipse
When the Moon only blocks off part of the Sun, it causes a…
Partial Solar Eclipse
These parts of the Sun are only visible during a total solar eclipse.
Corona and Prominences
The full shadow of the Moon that causes a total solar eclipse.
Umbra
The incomplete shadow of the Moon that causes a total solar eclipse.
Penumbra
Which Moon phase is the only time that a solar eclipse can occur?
New Moon
How much of the Earth can see a total solar eclipse?
Only a narrow line about 100 miles across and 1000 miles long.
How long does a partial solar eclipse last?
A couple of hours.
How long does a total solar eclipse last?
A few minutes.
Describe how to safely view a solar eclipse.
Eye protection is required during the partial eclipse, but the total eclipse is completely safe to look at with the naked eye.
Describe the diamond ring effect.
The Moon blocks off 99% of the Sun, leaving a single bright spot of photosphere shining, while the corona starts to appear on the other side of the Sun.
List the stages of a total solar eclipse.
Partial eclipse, diamond ring effect, totality, diamond ring effect, partial eclipse. PS - when the stages repeat, they are on the opposite side of the Sun than when they started.
