What is the Moon like? The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. Movements of the Moon The Moon moves in two different ways. The phases of the Moon The Moon does not emit its own light. It reflects light from the Sun. From the Earth, we see different parts of the Moon lit by the Sun as the Moon travels in its orbit. These changes in the Moon's appearance are called moon phases. In the first quarter, the right side of the Moon is lit by the Sun. At full moon, the entire lit side of the Moon faces Earth. In the third quarter, the left side of the Moon is lit by the Sun. At new moon, the side of the Moon lit by the Sun does not face the Earth. new moon first quarter full moon third quarter There are flat areas on the Moon that we call seas, although there is no water. The Moon's surface is covered in craters caused by meteor impacts. sea crater Rotation The Moon rotates on its axis. It takes about 28 days. Revolution The Moon orbits the Earth. It takes about 28 days. word bank eclipse phase Moon tide The time it takes for the Moon to rotate once on its axis is equal to the time it takes for the Moon to orbit the Earth. This means we always see the same side of the Moon, called the near side, from Earth. near side far side The Moon as seen from the Earth SUN ' S RAYS 94 · n i n e t y - f o u r
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy