| Term | Definition |
|---|
| crater | depressions on the Moon's surface caused by meteoroid impacts |
| maria | large, dark "oceans" on the Moon; actually lava plains |
| mascon | ara of high gravity on the Moon |
| rays | light streaks that extend from craters; impact ejected |
| sidereal month | true revolution period of the Moon; takes 27 and1/3 days |
| synodic month | phase cycle of the Moon: new moon-to-new moon takes 29 and 1/2 days |
| waxing | term meaning the lighted portion is "getting bigger" |
| waning | term meaning the lighted portion is "getting smaller" |
| crescent | phase where we see less than 1/4 of the lighted portion the Moon |
| quarter | phase where we see 1/4 of the lighted portion of the Moon |
| gibbous | phase where we see more than 1/4 but less than all of the lighted portion of the Moon |
| full | phase where we see all of the lighted portionof the Moon |
| umbra | the dark central part of the Moon's/Earth's shadow |
| penumbra | the partial part of the Moon's/Earth's shadow |
| eclipse | celestial shadow effects |
| solar eclipse | When the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth |
| lunar eclipse | when the Earth casts a shadow on the Moon |
| regolith | lunar soil |
Combine with other sets
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