This document discusses the relationships between planets, moons, and other celestial bodies. It explains that the Moon orbits the Earth and is considered our natural satellite. A satellite revolves around a planet. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes behind Earth into its shadow, while solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun. The Moon's phases are caused by varying amounts of sunlight reflecting off its surface due to its orbit around Earth. Tides are also influenced by the Moon's gravity, with high and low tides occurring regularly due to the positions of the Moon and Sun relative to Earth.
2. Earth, Moon, Sun
Who’s orbiting who?
Satellites? Moons? What’s the difference?
The Moon is the Earth’s
satellite (Earth is kind of
one of the Sun’s
Satellites)
A Satellite is an object
that revolves around a
planet.
3. Lunar Vs. Solar Eclipse
Lunar Eclipse
when the moon passes
behind the earth such
that the earth blocks the
sun’s rays from reflecting
off of the moon.
Solar Eclipse
when the Moon passes
between the Sun and the
Earth, and fully or
partially covers the Sun
(specific viewing point).
5. Lunar Phases
The phases of the moon change as a
result of the moon revolving around the
Earth.
Depending on where the moon is in it’s
revolution, more or less of it will appear to
be “glowing” to the viewer on Earth. (this
is how much of the sunlit side of the moon
is facing Earth).
6. Tides- what’s the moon got to do
with it?
Tides are the rising and falling of ocean
water every 12.5 hours.
There are both high tides, and low tides.
The tides are caused mainly by
differences in how much the moon’s
gravity pulls on different parts of Earth.
7. High Tides and Low Tides
High tides occur on the side closest to the
moon as well as the side of the Earth
directly opposite.
Low tides occur between the two high
tides on the sides between.
9. Spring Tides vs. Neap Tides
Spring tides are the tides with the greatest
difference between the high and low tides.
This is because of the combined gravity of
the Sun and the Moon acting on the Earth.
Neap tides are the tides with the smallest
difference between the high and low tides.
This is because the Sun and the Moon are
at a right angle to the Earth.
Both occur twice a month.