The spinning of an object on its axis. This causes night and day on Earth.

The movement of an object around another object in space.

Something that orbits a larger object such as a planet or star.

One of two days in a year when there is equal day and night. This happens around March 20. This happens because Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun.

One of two days in a year when there is equal day and night. This happens around September 22. This happens because Earth's axis is not tilted towards or away from the sun.

When the moon goes through all of its phases in a 29 1/2 day cycle and then starts over.

The entire lighted side of the moon is facing away from Earth. This is when the moon is completely dark to us. This happens when the moon is on the same side of the Earth as the Sun.

The moon looks less than half full, but not completely dark.

This is when half of the side of the Moon facing Earth is lit and the other half is dark. (1/2 of the Moon is lit and 1/2 is dark)

The Moon looks more than half full, but not completely full. There are 2 of these in the Lunar Cycle.

The phase that results when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun. The entire Moon is lit.

From new moon to full moon, more of the moon's lit surface is visible to us. The moon is getting brighter each night.

From the full moon to the new moon, less of the moon's lit surface is visible to us. The moon is getting darker each night.

Tides during the new and full moons, when the Earth, Sun and Moon line up in a row. The gravity of the Sun and Moon work together and have the strongest pull on Earth. This produces the largest difference between high and low tide.

This tide occurs during quarter moons when the Sun and Moon form a right angle. The gravity of the Sun and Moon partially cancel each other out. Very small difference between high tide and low tide.

This eclipse occurs at the new moon, when the moon moves directly between the Earth and the Sun. Light from the sun is blocked out of view.

This eclipse occurs at the full moon, when the moon moves through the Earth's shadow. Light from the sun is kept from reaching the moon because it's blocked by the Earth.

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