The phases of the moon are caused by the changing position of the moon in relation to the sun and Earth. As the moon orbits Earth, the amount of sunlight that hits its surface changes, creating the different phases we see from Earth.
The moon's gravitational pull on Earth's oceans causes the tides. The moon's gravitational force is strongest on the side of Earth closest to the moon, causing a bulge in the ocean. This creates high tide. On the opposite side of Earth, the moon's pull is weakest, creating a low tide. As Earth rotates, different areas experience high and low tides throughout the day.
The moon's rotation on its axis is synchronized with its orbit around Earth, causing it to always show the same side. This is known as tidal locking. The moon's rotation is also slowing down, so in the distant future, we may be able to see more of the moon's surface.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the moon, blocking the sunlight that usually reflects off its surface. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon's shadow falls on Earth, blocking the sunlight that usually reaches the surface. Lunar eclipses can be seen from anywhere on the night side of Earth, while solar eclipses can only be seen from a specific area on Earth's surface.
The moon's distance from Earth changes slightly as it orbits, causing its size and brightness to also vary. When the moon is closer to Earth, it appears larger and brighter, while when it is farther away, it appears smaller and dimmer. This is known as the moon's apogee and perigee, respectively.