A smaller object that revolves around a larger object.

What is a satellite?

Jupiter’s satellite

Does Earth have a natural satellite?

The moon is Earth’s natural Satellite.

How was the moon formed?

•Theory 1 - When the earth was forming and still fluid, a piece of the Earth separated because of the centrifugal force of the Earth spinning.

•Theory 2 - A comet, asteroid or other space matter got pulled into the gravitational pull of the Earth and became our Moon.

Does the moon produce its own light like a star?

No, it reflects light from the sun.

As the moon orbits the Earth, the light being reflected from the moon will change in appearance.

The Phases of the moon are the nightly changes in the moon’s appearance.

There are eight main phases of the moon.

The moon goes through ALL of its phases every 29 ½ days.

Waxing is a term that is used when the lighted area of the moon appears to be getting larger each night.

Waning is the term used when the lighted area of the moon appears to be getting smaller each night.

Gibbous is the term used when more than half of the moon is reflecting light.

Crescent is the term used when less than half of the moon is reflecting light.

Now draw the moon phases!

Solar EclipseSolar Eclipse

The Moon moves directly between the Sun and Earth. The Moon casts a shadow on the Earth; only occurs with a new moon.

This does not occur with every new moon due to the moon being 10o off from the orbit of the Earth.

Lunar EclipseLunar Eclipse

The Earth, Sun, and Moon are directly lined up in the center. The Earth casts a shadow on the Moon; only occurs with a full moon.

This does not occur with every full moon due to the Moon being 10o off from the orbit of the Earth.

Memory DevicesMemory Devices::

White on the right, growing bright!

White on the left, losing light!

Memory DevicesMemory Devices::

• Wax on – increasing light! – Just as a candle wick is dipped in wax

and the candle wax increases the size of the candle.

• Wane off – decreasing light!

• Gibbous – bulge

Memory DevicesMemory Devices::

New Moon = Near the Sun

Full Moon = Far from Sun

Remember, YOU are on the EARTH looking at the Moon.

This concludes our fieldtrip to the moon!