The Moon, its phases and lunar eclipses
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Write the eight Moon phases in order, starting with the new moon.
New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent.
2
Draw the Sun, the Earth and the Moon in a line for a lunar eclipse. Label the shadow.
Sun, Earth, Moon in a line, with the Moon inside the Earth’s shadow.
3
A friend says that the Moon makes its own light. Explain why this is wrong.
The Moon is a dark body. We see it because it reflects sunlight.
4
Why do total lunar eclipses happen only now and then, even though the full moon comes every month?
The Moon’s orbit is tilted by about 5°, so most full moons pass above or below the Earth’s shadow.
5
Name the line-up for a solar eclipse and say why we must never look at the Sun.
Sun, Moon, Earth. The Sun’s light can hurt our eyes.