Actual Motions of the Moon

The moon revolves counterclockwise around the

Earth as the Earth revolves around the Sun.

The moon’s period of revolution is 27 1/3 days.

The moon also rotates on its axis. One full rotation of the

moon is also 27 1/3 days. The same side (or face) of the

moon always faces the Earth.

The motions of the moon can be observed through events such as phases of the moon,

tides and eclipses.

Phases of the Moon

Half the moon is always receiving

light from the Sun.

The varying amounts of the

“lighted moon” as seen from Earth

are known as moon phases.

Tides

The cyclical rise and fall of ocean waters as a result of the

gravitational attractions between the Earth, moon and Sun are

known as tides.

The moon has a much greater impact on the tidal patterns of

Earth due to its close proximity to the Earth.

A high tide on Earth is created when the Earth is directly under the moon.

Another high tide would be exhibited on the opposite side of the Earth as the solid mass of our planet is pulled towards the moon. The result is

another high tide.

Twice per day

A low tide on Earth is created when the Earth is 90° from where it is directly

under the moon.

The gravitational attraction between the Earth and the moon is at its lowest.

Twice per day

Tides The Earth experiences higher high tides and lower low tides when the Sun, Earth and moon are along the same straight line.

This is due to the gravitational attraction of the Sun and moon upon the Earth. Thus the tidal effects would be more extreme.

Spring Tide

Spring Tide

Neap Tide

Neap Tide

Eclipses

An eclipse is when a celestial body partly or completely comes into the shadow of another celestial

body.

Lunar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth casts its

shadow (partially or completely) on the moon.

A lunar eclipse would occur when the moon is in

its “full moon phase”.

When a total lunar eclipse occurs, all people should

be able to view the eclipse in the night sky. This is

because the shadow of the Earth (umbra) is larger than the moon itself.

Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon (partially or completely) blocks the Sun casting a shadow upon the Earth.

A solar eclipse would occur when the moon is in its “new moon phase”.

When a total solar eclipse occurs, only a few people would be able to view the entire eclipse in the daylight sky. This is because the shadow of the moon (umbra) upon the

Earth is quite small and would been seen for a short period of time along a specific path along the Earth’s surface.