As the solar cycle progresses, newer sunspots appear closer and closer to the equator. The last sunspots of the solar cycle appear at an average latitude of about 5 - 10 degrees. During all …

The Moon passes through a cycle of eight phases which repeats itself every 29.5 days. There is no definite starting point for the cycle, but phases follow one behind the other in a strict order. …

May 14, 2018 · StarChild is a learning center for young astronomers ages 5-13 to learn about the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the universe beyond. Use the links above to explore …

Watch an animation showing the precession of Earth Image and Animation by Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC

This demonstration will illustrate why the Moon has so many different looks within that 29-day period known as the lunar cycle. Prior to or after the demonstration, allow the students to go …

Events which occur on the Sun include sunspots, solar flares, solar wind, and solar prominences. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the photosphere which appear as dark areas. Sunspots …

If we could magically look down on our solar system, we would see that the half of the Moon facing the Sun is always lit. But the lit side does not always face the Earth! As the Moon circles …

The star has now reached the red giant phase. It is red because it is cooler than the protostar phase and it is a giant because the outer shell has expanded outward. All stars evolve the …

A total solar eclipse can only occur when two events happen at the same time. The first event is a new Moon. This phase of the Moon occurs when the Sun is almost directly behind the Moon, …

This seemingly strange behavior is easily understood within the context of a Sun-centered (heliocentric) solar system. The explanation for retrograde motion in a heliocentric model is …