ASTRON 103 Chapter 8: Textbook Notes - 8
5 Oct 2016
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Lunar phases: changing illumination of the moon that causes apparent shape to change: new waxing crescent first quarter waxing gibbous full waning. Gibbous third quarter waning crescent new. Moon is on other side of earth from sun. New: moon completely dark: waxes: gradually increases, wanes: gradually decreases. Lunar month: about 29 days during which the moon cycles from new phase through all phases & back to new: sidereal month: about 27. 3 days. The length of time required for moon to return to some apparent position in relation to the stars. Difference between lunar month & sidereal month results from. Can only occur when there is a new moon: lunar eclipse: moon passes through earth"s shadow. Can only occur when there is a full moon. Occurs 2x as often as total eclipses: total eclipse: eclipsing body completely covers the other body, penumbral eclipses: weakest partial eclipse. Moon passes only through earth"s penumbra - no part enters the umbra.
