Our Earth, Sun, and Moon

• The path an object takes as it travels around another object.

orbit

• A body that has the shape of a ball or globe.

sphere

• In the process of getting larger.

waxing

• In the process of getting smaller.

waning

• To turn.

rotate

• A temporary state of being.

phase

• To move around another object in a circular way.

revolve

• A real or imaginary line through the center of a spinning object.

axis

• The full sequence of the Moon’s phases.

lunar cycle

• A period of time when the Moon moves into Earth’s shadow.

lunar eclipse

• The imaginary line that divides Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres.

equator

The moon revolves around the Earth.

It takes the moon about 4 weeks to orbit Earth.

Moon’s Phases

The lunar cycle takes 4 weeks.

Lunar Eclipse

When the Earth’s shadow falls on the Moon it is called a lunar eclipse.

Seasons

Seasons on Earth are caused by Earth’s revolution around the Sun and Earth’s tilt as it makes its orbit.