Tides, Lunar Phases, & Eclipses

Understanding the Sun-Earth-Moon system.

Earth and Space

ELEMENT: Systems and Interactions

  • Develop and use a model of Earth-Sun-Moon system to describe predictable phenomena observable on Earth, including seasons, lunar phases, and eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
  • Describe the cycling of matter, including that of carbon and water, associating it with biological and atmospheric phenomena.

ELEMENT: Sustainability

  • Illustrate how earth processes and human factors influence Earth's climate, evaluate effects of climate change, and initiatives that attempt to address those effects.

Tides

The periodic rise and fall of water resulting from the Sun and Moon's gravitational pull on Earth.

Tidal Gauges

Measure the relative change in sea level.

Spring Tide = Maximum Tidal Range | Neap Tide = Minimum Tidal Range


The Sun and Moon each have their own gravitational pull on Earth.

The more gravitational pull the Sun and Moon have on the Earth the more extreme the tidal range.


How must the Sun-Earth-Moon System be orientated for Spring and Neap Tides?


Lunar Phases

Sun-Earth-Moon alignment = Full Moon or New Moon

Sun-Earth-Moon 90 degrees = First or Third Quarter


Eclipses

The orientation of the Sun, Moon, and Earth also cause solar and lunar eclipses.

Solar Eclipse Finder


Summary Question: What type of tide and lunar phase would occur during a lunar eclipse?

Credits

https://www.dublinport.ie/

https://www.marine.ie/Home/home

Spring Tide = Maximum Tidal Range | Neap Tide = Minimum Tidal Range

The Sun and Moon each have their own gravitational pull on Earth.

How must the Sun-Earth-Moon System be orientated for Spring and Neap Tides?

The orientation of the Sun, Moon, and Earth also cause solar and lunar eclipses.