Kids science: Phases of the Moon Science >> Earth Science for Kids The moon itself doesn't emit any light like the sun. What we see when we see the moon is sunlight reflected off the moon. The phase of the moon is how much of the moon appears to us on Earth to be lit up by the sun. Half of the moon is always lit up by the sun, except during an eclipse, but we only see a portion that's lit up. This is the phase of the moon. Around once per month, every 29.53 days to be exact, the moon orbits around the Earth. What are the different phases of the moon? As the moon orbits or circles the Earth, the phase changes. The phases of the moon starting with the New Moon are: New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Waning Gibbous Third Quarter Waning Crescent Dark Moon The New Moon and Dark Moon are pretty much the same phase happening at almost the same time. Waxing or Waning? As the New moon begins its orbit and we see more and more of the moon, this is called Waxing. Lunar Calendar Eclipse Earth Science Subjects
Sun, Moon and Earth Orbits Learn about our planet, our only natural satellite and our nearest star © 2012 This website is produced by the Student Recruitment, Admissions and International Development Division at The University of Manchester The Moon Facts The moon is the only natural satellite orbiting Earth and the Earth's closest neighbor in space. This cold, rocky body is about 384,403 kilometers (238, 857 miles) away. This distance is similar to going around the earth 10 times. The moon is 3476 kilometers (2,160 miles) in diameter. It is 1/4 the size of the earth. The moon is very old!!! You can read more about the moon at NASA's StarChild, A Learning Center for Young Astronomers. The daily maximum temperature is 250° F (hot enough to boil water). Picture courtesy of NASA Picture courtesy of NASA The Moon has no atmosphere so the lunar sky is black. The surface of the moon is covered in craters or holes that have been created by space rocks or meteors that hit the soil. Funny stuff: Did you hear the one about the restaurant on the moon? The food is terrific, but there's no atmosphere. Ice exists in some deep craters near the Moon's south pole which are permanently shaded. Below is a NASA photo of the far side of the moon. Ask Dr.
Marko's Gameroom Solar System GamePlanet Order GameSolar System Q&A Game 1Photosynthesis GameRespiratory System Game Hidden Object Game 1 Home on the moon Life on the moon — but not ours. This illustration shows two large moons orbiting a giant, gassy planet (in orange). Astronomers say the right type of moon could harbor alien life. R. The first confirmation of alien life might come not from a distant planet, but from a far-flung moon. Planet hunters have identified hundreds of exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. René Heller of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics in Potsdam, Germany, and Rory Barnes of the University of Washington in Seattle created a checklist of what would make a moon livable. A livable moon would receive light and heat from both the nearest star and the planet the moon orbits. That’s a tall order. Some of those distant worlds are fairly exotic. “When I think of all the weird planets we’ve found — hot Jupiters, planets orbiting two stars — why shouldn’t we be able to find a large moon?” Power Words habitable A place suitable for humans or other living things to comfortably dwell.
World Sunlight Map Watch the sun rise and set all over the world on this real-time, computer-generated illustration of the earth's patterns of sunlight and darkness. The clouds are updated daily with current weather satellite imagery. The Mercator projection used here is one way of looking at the spherical earth as a flat map. Used since the 16th century for navigation, straight lines on this map can be used accurately as compass bearings but the size and shape of continents are distorted. Also available is a semi-realistic view of dawn and dusk from far above the Earth, a look at the moon, and information about how this works.
10 Fun Facts About the Moon for Kids Ever look at the Moon and think about a bunch of questions you may have in regards to the Moon?The Moon is a mysterious thing, it is part of our solar system, you can look up in the sky and see it almost every night but yet do you know all the cool and fun Moon facts? There are tons of interesting Moon fun facts that anyone would enjoy especially if you are a kid. If you are working on a report for school about astronomy or the planets, here you will find 10 Moon fun facts for kids that would really be a great addition to your report. Moon Fun Fact for Kids # 1: Temperature on the Moon If you think it gets too hot or too cold outside where you live, think again because you could burn up or be frozen on the Moon! Moon Fun Fact for Kids # 2: Tides in the Earth's Oceans Who would think that with the Moon being so far away it could make our ocean water move but it is true, the Moon can do it. Moon Fun Fact for Kids # 3: Bright Moon Moon Fun Fact for Kids # 4: Moon Circles the Earth Sources:
The Solar System Our solar neighborhood is an exciting place. The Solar System is full of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, minor planets, and many other exciting objects. Learn about Io, the explosive moon that orbits the planet Jupiter, or explore the gigantic canyons and deserts on Mars. What Is The Solar System? The Solar System is made up of all the planets that orbit our Sun. In addition to planets, the Solar System also consists of moons, comets, asteroids, minor planets, and dust and gas. Everything in the Solar System orbits or revolves around the Sun. How Did The Solar System form? This is an important question, and one that is difficult for scientists to understand. Scientists believe that the Solar System evolved from a giant cloud of dust and gas. At the center of this spinning cloud, a small star began to form. Further away from the center of this mass where the star was forming, there were smaller clumps of dust and gas that were also collapsing. A Great Storm Beyond The Oort Cloud
The Moon The following questions were answered by astronomer Dr. Cathy Imhoff of the Space Telescope Science Institute. How big is the moon? The moon is about 2,000 miles across. How far is it from Earth to the moon? How old is the moon? How did the moon form? How hot and cold does it get on the moon? What is the surface of the moon like? How many holes are in the moon? Why does the moon have big rocks? How many moons are there all together? Why does the moon change its shape (as in full, half, and quarter moon)? At new moon, the moon and the sun are on the same side of Earth. About a week later, the moon has moved halfway around its orbit. About a week later, the moon has moved now three-fourths of the way around in its circle around Earth. It's easier to demonstrate if you have a ball to represent the moon and a flashlight for the sun. What is a lunar eclipse? How come we can sometimes see the moon during the day? Does the moon really have volcanoes? Is there really water on the moon?
The solar system by Cristina Casas on Prezi About the Moon – Moon Phases, Tides and More for Kids « While other planets have as many as 61 moons orbiting them, the moon is the Earth’s only satellite. Unlike the Earth, the moon is an inhospitable realm with no atmosphere and extreme temperatures. Because the moon lacks an atmosphere, it is perpetually dark. The moon is full of impact craters, rocks, smooth plains, and mountains. One crater, known as Clavius, is more than 100 miles in diameter. There are also rilles on the moon. The moon is located about 238,900 miles from the Earth, though it can be as close as 221,000 miles and as far as 252,000 miles. The moon is a very different place than the Earth. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to walk on the surface of the moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. Quiz Code: Crater Moon Video