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The gravitational pull of the orbiting moon causes the ocean tides.

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The moon has phases too Why doesn't that make us think the moon revolves around the sun too rather than around Earth?

To see all the phases of Venus is impossible in the Earth-centred model of the Solar System. The case of the Moon is different. Simple geometry shows how you can see all the phases if it revolves around the Earth. If the Moon's phases were caused by it orbiting the Sun, then the Moon would have to be millions of miles from Earth. We know the distance to the Moon very accurately and it's obviously orbiting the Earth. But, of course, the Moon does go round the Sun too, along with Earth, during the year. I hope that's clear.


Why does the moon have stages?

The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. As the moon orbits the Earth, different portions of its illuminated half are visible from Earth, creating the different phases we observe. This phenomenon is a result of the changing angle between the Earth, the moon, and the Sun.


Are the phases of the moon caused by the moon moving into the sun's shadow?

No, the phases of the moon are caused by the changing positions of the moon, Earth, and sun in relation to each other. As the moon orbits Earth, different portions of its illuminated half are visible from Earth, leading to the different phases we see.


T or F The phases of the moon are caused by the positions of the Earth Sun and Moon?

True. The phases of the moon are caused by the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon in relation to each other. As the Moon orbits Earth, the Sun's light shines on different parts of the Moon, creating the changing patterns of light and shadow we see from Earth as the phases of the moon.


Do the phases of the moon cause seasons?

No. The phases of the moon are completely unrelated to the seasons. The seasons are caused by the tilt of earth's axis of rotation.

Related Questions

What is the changing apperances of the moon from the earth?

They are called phases of the moon. They are caused by the moon orbiting the earth and changing its relative angle to the sun


The moon has phases too Why doesn't that make us think the moon revolves around the sun too rather than around Earth?

To see all the phases of Venus is impossible in the Earth-centred model of the Solar System. The case of the Moon is different. Simple geometry shows how you can see all the phases if it revolves around the Earth. If the Moon's phases were caused by it orbiting the Sun, then the Moon would have to be millions of miles from Earth. We know the distance to the Moon very accurately and it's obviously orbiting the Earth. But, of course, the Moon does go round the Sun too, along with Earth, during the year. I hope that's clear.


Would moon phases be observable?

Yes, they are ALL observable form all parts of Earth provided clouds do not obscure your view of the sky.


Would a satellite orbiting the earth go through phases like those of the moon?

Yes.


Why does the moon have stages?

The phases of the moon are caused by its position relative to the Earth and the Sun. As the moon orbits the Earth, different portions of its illuminated half are visible from Earth, creating the different phases we observe. This phenomenon is a result of the changing angle between the Earth, the moon, and the Sun.


What is the relationship between the phases of the moon and summer solstice?

The phases of the moon are not affected by solstice dates or equinox dates, they are caused by the sun shining on it at different angles while the moon is orbiting the Earth and new and full moons rarely coincide with "summer solstice" dates.


Why we see the different phases of the moon from earth?

The phases are caused by the angle that the sunlight strikes the moon.


Are the Moon's phases caused by Earth's rotation?

No. The phases of the Moon are caused by our moon rotating around the Earth. When the moon is between the Sun and Earth, the face nearest to us is not illuminated and in the Moon's own shadow, and this aspect we call 'New Moon'. When the moon is on the side of Earth farthest from the sun, it is fully illuminated, and this we call 'Full Moon'. [Due to the distribution of mass in the moon, it keeps one face towards Earth.] The earth rotates once every 24 hours, so we see the moon in our sky once a day - but sometimes in the daytime - when it is approaching 'New'. But the moon orbits the earth once every 28 days (approx) and this motion is the one that is responsible for the phases of the Moon. !


Would you see lunar phases if the moon did not rotate while it orbit earth?

No, if the moon did not rotate as it orbits the Earth, we would always see the same face of the moon and there would be no changing lunar phases. This is because the changing phases of the moon are caused by the angle between the sun, Earth, and moon as the moon orbits Earth.


Are the phases of the moon caused by the moon moving into the sun's shadow?

No, the phases of the moon are caused by the changing positions of the moon, Earth, and sun in relation to each other. As the moon orbits Earth, different portions of its illuminated half are visible from Earth, leading to the different phases we see.


T or F The phases of the moon are caused by the positions of the Earth Sun and Moon?

True. The phases of the moon are caused by the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon in relation to each other. As the Moon orbits Earth, the Sun's light shines on different parts of the Moon, creating the changing patterns of light and shadow we see from Earth as the phases of the moon.


How the moon would appear to an observer in space during its revolution. Would phases be observable?

Yes. Unless the observer was on the back side of the moon, or on the opposite side of the earth from the moon, he/she could see the same phases that we see here on earth.