The study of the moon, stars, and other objects in space.

Axis: An imaginary line that passes through Earth’s center at the North and South poles Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees from vertical This tilt of Earth’s axis is what causes the Seasons

Earth in Space Stand in place, and make one complete turn. You have just rotated. Take a trip around your desk. You have just revolved. What does it look like when you rotate and revolve at the same time?

ROTATION - MOTION WHERE AN OBJECT TURNS ON AN IMAGINARY AXIS. This causes REVOLUTION - PLANETARY MOTION WHERE AN OBJECT MOVES AROUND THE SUN. This causes Day and Night A year RETROGRADE - PLANETARY MOTION WHERE THE PLANET MOVES EAST TO WEST…OPPOSITE FROM THE “NORM.”

Earth in Space Earth rotates eastward, and a point on the equator rotates at about 1600 kilometers in an hour!

Earth in Space Earth’s path around the sun is called an orbit. Notice, our orbit is not a perfect circle! It is called an ….

Earth in Space Earth causing revolves rotates Years Day and night On its axis Around the sun

Latitude: The measurement of distance from the equator, expressed in degrees north and south. Solstice: One of the two days each year, when the noon sun is overhead at 23.5 degrees north or south latitude. In the Northern hemisphere, the noon sun is at 23.5 degrees south during the … Winter solstice The date for this would be…(what is the shortest day of the year?) Around Dec. 21st

Equinox: Halfway between the solstices, neither hemisphere is tilted toward or away from the sun. This only occurs twice a year, and during this time the noon sun is directly overhead at the equator. Vernal equinox: “spring equinox” occurs around March 21st, and marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Autumnal equinox: Occurs around September 23, and marks the start of fall Day and night would be about… equal How do seasonal changes affect living things?

Earth in Space

The moon is about 384,400 kilometers from Earth. The positions of the moon, Earth, and the sun cause the phases of the moon, eclipses, and tides. It takes the moon about 27.3 days to revolve around the Earth in a non-circular orbit. The moon rotates on its axis every 27.3 days. Its day and year are equal, so we only ever see one side of the moon. Phases: the different shapes of the moon you see from Earth.

The Moon New Moon The moon produces no light of its own. It only reflects sunlight.

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent The phase of the moon you see depends on how much of the sunlit side of the moon faces Earth.

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous Third Quarter

The Moon New Moon Waxing Crescent First Quarter Waxing Gibbous Full Moon Waning Gibbous Third Quarter Waning Crescent

Eclipse: Occurs when the moon’s shadow hits Earth, or Earth’s shadow hits the moon. Solar eclipse: Occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, blocking the sunlight from reaching Earth. Umbra: The darkest part of the moon’s shadow (it’s cone shaped. Light from the sun is completely blocked by the moon. Penumbra: The shadow cast by the moon that is not as dark as the umbra. Part of the sun is visible from Earth. People in this area, only see a partial eclipse.

Solar Eclipse Corona The outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere  It is only visible during an eclipse.

Occurs at a full moon when Earth is directly between the moon and sun. Lunar eclipse:

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be seen anywhere on Earth that the moon is visible. A lunar eclipse can be partial or total. It all depends on the alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun.

Tides: The rise and fall of water (oceans), every 12.5 hours or so. The water rises for 6 hours, then falls for 6 hours. Tides occur mainly because of differences in how much the moon pulls on different parts of Earth. Gravity: The force that pulls two objects (Earth and moon) toward one another. Mass versus Weight: Mass is the amount of matter in an object, while weight is a measure of the force of gravity on an object.

Spring tide: A tide that has the greatest difference between high and low tide. Occurs during new moon, when gravity of the sun and moon pull in the same direction. Neap tide: Occurs twice a month (during 1st and last quarter). The sun & Earth & moon are at a right angle.