Hello, Middle School Friends! The moon is the closest celestial body and Earth’s satellite. It is said to be a satellite, because it cannot emit its own light but rather emits light from the Sun. Not only does the Earth revolve around the Sun, the Moon also revolves around the Earth.
The shape of the moon itself is round, similar to planets in general. The surface of the Moon is a dry and barren plain, many craters, and there are mountains and plateaus. Apart from not having an atmosphere, the Moon also often experiences very drastic temperature changes. On the Moon, you will find no living creatures, no water cycle, complete darkness, and even sound cannot travel.
The moon performs three movements at once, namely rotation, revolution, and moving together with the Earth to revolve around the Sun. Phenomena that occur on the Moon include the appearance of the Moon from Earth which is always different, sea tides, and the Moon has 2 (two) time references (Sidereal Moon and Synodic Moon). Come on, let’s discuss them one by one below!
Phases of the Moon
Occurs when the position of the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun. Solar eclipses do not always occur in this position because the tilt of the moon’s orbit to the ecliptic plane is 5°.
Occurs when about a quarter of the Moon is exposed to sunlight, so that only a quarter of the Moon’s surface is visible on Earth.
Occurs when the part of the Moon that is exposed to sunlight is about half, so that what is visible from Earth is also half.
Occurs when three-quarters of the Moon is exposed to sunlight, but only three-quarters of the Moon is visible from Earth. As a result, we can see the Convex Moon.
Occurs when all parts of the Moon are exposed to sunlight, as seen from Earth. As a result, we can see the full Moon.
Sea Tides
Tide is an event where sea levels rise. Low tide is the event of a fall in sea level. The tides occur due to the influence of the Sun’s gravity and the Moon’s gravity. As a result of the Earth rotating on its axis, areas that experience alternating tides twice. There are 2 (two) types of sea tides, namely full moon tides and neap tides.
These full moon tides are influenced by the moon’s gravity and occur when the moon is full. These tides will be maximum when a solar eclipse occurs. This happens because it is influenced by the Moon’s gravity which causes the Moon’s tides and the Sun’s gravity which causes the Sun’s tides to have the same or same direction.
Neap tides occur when sea levels drop as low as possible. These tides occur during the first quarter and third quarter of the Moon. The gravity of the Moon and the Sun which are perpendicular to each other is the influence of this Neap Tide.
Sidereal Months and Synodic Months
The moon requires one revolution of around 27.3 days, called the sidereal revolution period (one sidereal month). However, because the Earth also moves in the same direction as the Moon, according to observations on Earth, the time it takes for the Moon to make one complete rotation is longer than during the sidereal revolution, which is around 29.5 days, which is called the synodic revolution period (one synodic month). . The time of the synodic revolution can be determined through observations from the time of the new Moon to the next new Moon. One synodic month is used as the basis for the Komariyah calendar (Islamic calendar).
Middle school friends, the movement of the Moon and its phenomena shows the beauty and complexity of Earth’s loyal friend. Through this article, hopefully middle school friends can better appreciate and understand the natural wonders that manifest in the night sky through the movement of the moon and its infinite phenomena. See you in other interesting articles about science!
Author: SMP Directorate Web Manager
Source:
IPA MODULE 11 Solar System – SMP Directorate (kemdikbud.go.id)
2024-01-11 00:28:44
#Movement #Moon #Phenomena
