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1. The Earth-Sun-Moon System
2. Seasons
Important Fact: The seasons are NOT caused by how close the Earth is to the Sun but by the tilt of Earth's axis.
3. Lunar Phases
4. Eclipses
5. Summary
- The Sun, Earth, and Moon interact in a way that creates seasons, lunar phases, and eclipses.
- The Earth orbits the Sun, while the Moon orbits the Earth.
2. Seasons
- The Earth is tilted at 23.5° on its axis.
- As it orbits the Sun, different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight, causing seasons.
- Summer: The hemisphere tilted toward the Sun experiences more direct sunlight and longer days.
- Winter: The hemisphere tilted away from the Sun receives less sunlight and has shorter days.
- Spring & Autumn: These are transition periods where day and night are nearly equal.
Important Fact: The seasons are NOT caused by how close the Earth is to the Sun but by the tilt of Earth's axis.
3. Lunar Phases
- The Moon does not produce its own light; it reflects sunlight.
- As the Moon orbits the Earth, different portions of its sunlit side become visible, creating lunar phases.
- New Moon – The Moon is between the Earth and the Sun; no part is visible.
- Waxing Crescent – A small lit crescent appears.
- First Quarter – Half of the Moon is lit.
- Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, growing toward a full moon.
- Full Moon – The entire face of the Moon is visible.
- Waning Gibbous – The lit portion starts decreasing.
- Last Quarter – Half of the Moon is visible again.
- Waning Crescent – A small lit crescent appears before returning to a New Moon.
4. Eclipses
- An eclipse happens when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another.
- Occurs when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight.
- This happens during a New Moon phase.
- Types of solar eclipses:
- Total – The Sun is completely blocked.
- Partial – Only part of the Sun is covered.
- Annular – The Moon appears smaller and leaves a ring of sunlight visible.
- Occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
- This happens during a Full Moon phase.
- Types of lunar eclipses:
- Total – The entire Moon moves into Earth's shadow.
- Partial – Only part of the Moon is in shadow.
5. Summary
- The tilt of Earth’s axis causes seasons.
- The Moon’s orbit around Earth causes lunar phases.
- Solar and lunar eclipses occur due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
- These events are predictable based on the movements of celestial bodies.