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Lunar Phases. ... The lunar phases vary cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according
to the relative positions of the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. ...
... Independent variable: Movement of the moon Dependent variable: Phases of the moon
and the lunar and solar eclipses Materials: 1. Tape 2. Scissors 3. Model ...
... Independent variable: Movement of the moon Dependent variable: Phases of the moon
and the lunar and solar eclipses Materials: 1. Tape 2. Scissors 3. Model ...
... During the lunar phases of the first and last quarter moon when the moon and sun
are 90 degrees to each other relative to the Earth, the gravitational pull ...
... My family knows about the cycles of nature and the lunar phases, and the seasons
to celebrate our spirituality and to worship the divine power. ...
Submitted by LTrent777 on June 27, 2006
Category: Science
Words: 1859 | Pages: 8
Views: 203
Popularity Rank: 58,325
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In astronomy, a phase of the Moon is any of the aspects or appearances presented by the Moon as seen from Earth, determined by the portion of the Moon that is visibly illuminated by the Sun. The lunar phases vary cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the relative positions of the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun. Since the Moon appears bright only due to the Sun's reflected light, only the half of the Moon facing the Sun is illuminated.
The lunar phase depends on the Moon's position in orbit around the Earth, and the Earth's position in orbit around the sun. This diagram looks down on Earth from the north. Earth's rotation and the Moon's orbit are both counter-clockwise here. From this diagram, we can see, for example, that the full moon will always rise at sunset, and that the waning crescent moon is high overhead around 9:00 AM local time.
Lunar phases are the result of our seeing the illuminated half of the Moon at different angles. The Moon exhibits different phases as the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon change, appearing as the Full moon when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth, and becoming invisible as the New Moon (also named Dark Moon) when they are on the same side: these two phases are examples of syzygies. The time between two Full Moons (or between successive occurrences of any two phases - for examples, First Quarter Moon to the next First quarter Moon) is about 29.53 days (or 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes); it is longer than the time it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth since the Earth-Moon system is orbiting the Sun. The phases are not created by the shadow of the Earth on the Moon (that would be a lunar eclipse); instead, they are a result of our seeing only part of the illuminated half of the Moon.
Dark Moon - Not visible
New Moon - Not visible, or traditionally: first visible crescent of the Moon
Waxing Crescent Moon - Right 1-49% visible
First Quarter...
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