The Earth-Moon-Sun System

What happens during a lunar eclipse? a. Earth's shadow falls on the moon b. the moon's shadow falls on Earth c. the moon's shadow falls on the sun d. the sun's shadow falls on the moon

When a solar eclipse occurs, ____. a. Earth's shadow falls on the moon b. Earth's shadow falls on the sun c. the moon's shadow falls on Earth d. the moon's shadow falls on the sun

As the illuminated part of the moon appears to become smaller from night to night, its phases are said to be a. full b. waxing c. new d. waning

Where must the moon be in its orbit so that the full moon phase is visible? a. between Earth and the sun b. exactly crossing Earth's orbit of the sun c. on the side of Earth opposite the sun d. directly above one of Earth's poles

About how long does it take for the moon to revolve once around Earth? a. 7 days b. 14 days c. 28 days d. 365 days

When it is spring in the Northern hemisphere, what season is it in the Southern hemisphere? a. spring b. summer c. autumn d. winter

What happens in the Southern hemisphere when the autumnal equinox occurs int he Northern hemisphere? a. the vernal equinox b. the summer solstice c. the winter solstice d. the autumnal equinox

During which tide is there the greatest distance between high and low tides? a. Neap tides b. Spring tides c. Winter tides d. Rip tides

Which statement is true about the moon's rotation? a. the moon revolves but does not rotate b. the moon rotates once per revolution c. the moon rotates but does not revolve d. the moon does not revolve or rotate

Winter occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when it is _______. a. tilted away from the sun b. tilted toward the sun c. farthest away from the sun in Earth's orbit d. on the dark side of Earth

A solar eclipse occurs when ________. a. Earth is between the sun and the moon b. the sun is between Earth and the moon c. the moon is between Earth and the sun d. the sun is blocked by Earth

The main cause of the seasons is _____. a. variations in the sun's energy b. the changing distance of Earth from the sun c. the changing speed of Earth's revolution d. Earth's axis is tilted

At the start of which season is the sun lowest in the sky? a. spring b. fall c. winter d. summer

As we go from summer to winter in the Northern Hemisphere, _______.

What happens during a lunar eclipse? a. Earth passes between the sun and the moon b. The moon passes between the sun and Earth c. The sun passes between Earth and the moon d. Earth, the sun, and the moon are at right angles in space.

Which phase occurs when the moon is between Earth and the sun? a. full moon b. new moon c. quarter moon d. harvest moon

When an object orbits another object, it is said to _______. a. spin b. pendulum c. rotate d. revolve

How long does it take for Earth to rotate once? a. 365 days b. 28 days c. 24 hours d. 1 hour

Which phase takes place when the moon's surface is not visible? a. full moon b. quarter moon c. harvest moon d. new moon

A man observes the moon in the sky (see picture). Which number on the diagram demonstrates the position of the moon when the man makes his observation? a. Number 1 b. Number 4 c. Number 6 d. Number 8

As Earth revolves around the sun, Earth's axis ____.

About how long does it take for Earth to revolve once around the sun? a. 7 days b. 14 days c. 29 days d. 365 days

Starting in January, the Northern hemisphere progresses from winter to spring, summer and fall. What is the sequence in the Southern hemisphere starting in January?

When the Northern hemisphere experiences winter, the southern hemisphere is having ____. a. winter b. summer c. spring d. an equinox

Which season is it in the Southern Hemisphere when the sun's rays strike most directly? a. spring b. summer c. autumn d. winter

The tilt of Earth's axis explains why we have ______. a. days and nights b. meteor showers c. seasons d. tides

During which tide is there the least amount of difference between high and low tides? a. spring tides b. neap tides c. rip tides d. summer tides

Which phase of the moon follows a waning crescent and comes before a waxing crescent? a. new moon b. full moon c. quarter moon d. harvest moon

When is Earth's axis tilted neither toward nor away from the sun? a. summer solstice b. winter solstice c. summer and winter solstices d. vernal and autumnal equinoxes

Which moon phase occurs when the entire surface of the moon facing Earth is illuminated? a. full moon b. quarter moon c. half moon d. harvest moon

What is the movement of an object in space spinning on its axis? a. rotation b. revolution c. orbiting d. parallelism

In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is highest in the sky during the ____. a. vernal equinox b. summer solstice c. autumnal equinox d. winter solstice

When is the sun directly overhead at the equator? a. summer solstice b. winter solstice c. summer and winter solstices d. vernal and autumnal equinoxes

Which statement is true regarding the moon's orbit?

When the visible part of the moon increases each night, the moon is said to be ________. a. full b. new c. waning d. waxing

During which phase of the moon does a lunar eclipse occur? a. first quarter b. last quarter c. new d. full