Is the moon always the same shape?

Yes, the moon is always shaped like a ball; however, it looks like it is changing shape because only part of it is lit up by the sun as it orbits the earth.

Have you noticed a pattern to the changing shapes of the moon?

The phases of the moon repeat in a cycle about once a month. It starts with new moon, then crescent, quarter, gibbous and full moon. Then the phases repeat in reverse. That whole cycle takes about 28 days.

Do you think the moon is the same size as the sun? Why?

When you compare the moon and the sun they do appear the same size to us on Earth, but in reality the sun is 400 times larger. They look the same size because the moon is 400 times closer!

Does the moon create its own light?

The moon does not create its own light, it only reflects light from the sun.

Is there life on the moon? Why or Why not?

Not that we know of. Conditions on the moon are not right to support life. We have not found any evidence of life or any fossils. There is also no water on the moon which is needed for life as we know it.

How do scientists learn about the moon and the other planets?

They mainly study them through telescopes. They also send different kinds of spacecraft to other planets and their moons. Humans landed on the moon for the first time about 50 years ago and we have sent spacecraft to many planets, including one currently on Mars!

What causes the moon to look like it is changing shape?

As the moon orbits the earth, the sun always shines on half of it, but from Earth we may only see part of that illuminated surface. The phase we see depends on where the moon is in its orbit around the Earth.

Where does the light of the moon come from?

The moon is lit by the sun. It is important to remember that the moon does not make its own light, it only reflects light from the sun.

What makes the moon and sun look like they are the same size?

The moon is smaller than the sun but it is also 400 times closer. That makes it seem like it is the same size as the sun.

What caused the surface of the moon to look the way it does?

Asteroids smashing into the surface of the moon created some of the features we can see on the moon’s surface (craters). Volcanic activity in the past created other features like mountain ranges and dark areas called “mares.” Volcanic activity stopped a few billion years ago, but asteroids continue to hit the moon because there is very little atmosphere to stop them.

What causes tides in Earth’s oceans?

The pull of moon’s gravity affects the water of the oceans and causes tides.

Why do scientists think there might be life on the moons of other planets?

Some moons of Jupiter and Saturn have chemicals that could provide energy for living things. An atmosphere and liquids can be found on one of Saturn’s moons.

Moon & Its Phases

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PHASES OF THE MOON DEFINITION

The portion of the moon that we can see from Earth on any given night is called the moon’s phase. As the moon orbits around the Earth, sunlight is reflected off the moon’s surface and that light reaches us on Earth. The phase of the moon depends on where the moon is in its orbit. It takes about one month for the moon to make a full orbit around the Earth, meaning the phases of the moon repeat about once a month!

To better understand what causes the phases of the moon….

PHASES OF THE MOON DEFINITION. The portion of the moon that we can see from Earth on any given night is called the moon’s phase. As the moon orbits around the Earth, sunlight is reflected off the moon’s surface and that light reaches us on Earth. The phase of the moon depends on where the moon is in its orbit. It takes about one month for the moon to make a full orbit around the Earth, meaning the phases of the moon repeat about once a month! To better understand what causes the phases of the moon….

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

The moon does not make its own light, it only reflects it.

The moon does not produce any light on its own. The light we see coming from the moon is actually light reflected from the sun, kind of like a mirror.

The sun is the strongest source of light in our solar system. Every moon and planet that is visible in our solar system is reflecting light from the sun. The reflected light enters our eyes and that is what allows us to see.

The moon does not make its own light, it only reflects it. The moon does not produce any light on its own. The light we see coming from the moon is actually light reflected from the sun, kind of like a mirror. The sun is the strongest source of light in our solar system. Every moon and planet that is visible in our solar system is reflecting light from the sun. The reflected light enters our eyes and that is what allows us to see.

The moon is smaller than the sun but appears the same size because it’s closer.

comparison of the size of the moon to the sun

Even though the moon and sun appear to be the same size from Earth, the sun is actually 400 times bigger than the moon. They look the same size due to an optical illusion. Objects that are close to you appear larger.

You can experiment at home to prove that. Hold a quarter in your hand one arm’s length away. Ask a friend to hold a dinner plate on the other side of the room. Have the person move closer or further until the plate is the same size as the quarter.

The moon is smaller than the sun but appears the same size because it’s closer. Even though the moon and sun appear to be the same size from Earth, the sun is actually 400 times bigger than the moon. They look the same size due to an optical illusion. Objects that are close to you appear larger. You can experiment at home to prove that. Hold a quarter in your hand one arm’s length away. Ask a friend to hold a dinner plate on the other side of the room. Have the person move closer or further until the plate is the same size as the quarter.

The phases of the moon are caused by its orbit around the Earth.

diagram of earth's orbit around the sun and the moon's orbit around earth

As the moon orbits the Earth, we can see a different amount of the moon is lit by the sun from our perspective on Earth. Sometimes the moon is completely lit, and other times it is completely dark.

The illuminated shape of the moon that is visible from Earth is called a phase. When you cannot see the moon at all, this phase is called a new moon. Several days after a new moon, we see the moon as a thin sliver of light called the crescent moon. As the moon appears larger and larger, it becomes a quarter moon and gibbous moon. A full moon is visible when the whole side of the moon facing Earth is completely illuminated by the sun. On a clear night, a full moon looks very bright.

The phases of the moon are caused by its orbit around the Earth. As the moon orbits the Earth, we can see a different amount of the moon is lit by the sun from our perspective on Earth. Sometimes the moon is completely lit, and other times it is completely dark. The illuminated shape of the moon that is visible from Earth is called a phase. When you cannot see the moon at all, this phase is called a new moon. Several days after a new moon, we see the moon as a thin sliver of light called the crescent moon. As the moon appears larger and larger, it becomes a quarter moon and gibbous moon. A full moon is visible when the whole side of the moon facing Earth is completely illuminated by the sun. On a clear night, a full moon looks very bright.

The moon’s surface has markings we can see from Earth.

demonstration of an impact on the surface of the moon

The moon’s surface has markings on in called rays that are visible from Earth. Rays spread out from a crater formed by the impact of an asteroid. When asteroids hit the moon, material from the moon was thrown in different directions, just like when Dr. Jeff used a sling shot to launch a paint ball into the flour and cocoa powder.

Another feature of the moon we can see are "lunar maria." The world maria means “seas” in Latin. Early astronomers thought the big dark spots on the moon were actual seas of water. However, these dark areas on the surface of the moon are not made of water, they are actually caused by ancient volcanic eruptions.

The moon’s surface has markings we can see from Earth. The moon’s surface has markings on in called rays that are visible from Earth. Rays spread out from a crater formed by the impact of an asteroid. When asteroids hit the moon, material from the moon was thrown in different directions, just like when Dr. Jeff used a sling shot to launch a paint ball into the flour and cocoa powder. Another feature of the moon we can see are "lunar maria." The world maria means “seas” in Latin. Early astronomers thought the big dark spots on the moon were actual seas of water. However, these dark areas on the surface of the moon are not made of water, they are actually caused by ancient volcanic eruptions.