The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #5 LUNA - August 2025

PUZZLE #5 - LUNA 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Moon: The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. It orbits the planet approximately every 27.3 days and influences many Earth systems, including tides and night lighting. It's the fifth largest moon in the solar system.

Maria: Maria (Latin for "seas") are large, dark, basaltic plains on the Moon’s surface formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They are mostly found on the near side and were once thought to be seas by early astronomers.

Phases: The phases of the Moon describe how much of the Moon's surface is illuminated as seen from Earth, changing cyclically from new moon to full moon and back, due to its orbit around Earth.

Tides: The Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides on Earth — the regular rise and fall of sea levels — by pulling on Earth’s oceans, creating bulges on the side closest to and farthest from the Moon.

Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow that darkens the Moon. This can only happen during a full moon.

Perigee: Perigee is the point in the Moon’s orbit when it is closest to Earth. When a full moon occurs at perigee, it appears slightly larger and brighter — known as a supermoon.

Apogee: Apogee is the point in the Moon’s orbit when it is farthest from Earth. A full moon at apogee is sometimes called a micromoon because it appears smaller.

Gravitational Pull: The Moon’s gravitational pull exerts a significant force on Earth, influencing tides, stabilizing Earth’s axial tilt, and slightly affecting Earth's rotation over time.

Earthshine: Earthshine is the faint glow on the dark portion of the Moon during a crescent phase, caused by sunlight reflecting off Earth’s surface and illuminating the Moon.

Secret Word: The bright, mountainous, and heavily cratered regions of the Moon, mostly composed of anorthosite. They are older than the maria and cover most of the far side.