The Moon is the closest celestial object to Earth, completing one orbit around our planet approximately every 29.5 days as it rotates once on its axis. We see only one side of the Moon from Earth due to its rotation pattern. The phases of the Moon, from new to full, depend on where it is positioned relative to the Sun and Earth, and it is always half illuminated by sunlight. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow, while solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, able to temporarily block the Sun's light from certain locations.
1. The Moon
∗ Closest celestial object to the Earth.
∗ As the Moon completes one orbit around the
Earth the Moon rotates only once on its axis.
∗ We never see the other side of the Moon
called “the dark side of the Moon”.
∗ Makes a complete orbit around the Earth in
about 29.5 days.
2. Phases of the Moon
The Moon is always half illuminated by the
Sun
How much of the illumination you see
depends on where the Moon is relative to
Earth.
8. Solar Eclipse
∗ Occurs when the Moon is between the Sun and
the Earth
∗ Can only be seen from specific places on Earth
∗ The sun is bigger than the moon, but the moon is
so close to Earth that it can block the sun out.
