Phases of the Moon
Types of Moon Phases New moon -occurs when the moon is positioned between the earth and sun. The entire illuminated portion of the moon is on the back side of the moon, the half that we cannot see. Full moon, the earth, moon, and sun are in approximate alignment, just as the new moon, but the moon is on the opposite side of the earth. so the entire sunlit part of the moon is facing us. First quarter and Third quarter (Half moon)-happen when the moon is at a 90 degree angle with respect to the earth and sun. We are seeing exactly half of the moon illuminated and half in shadow.
Waxing and Waning Waxing- getting more lit After the new moon, the sunlit portion is increasing. You may see a sliver of a moon and this sliver gets larger each night. This is called a Waxing Crescent Moon. Crescent moon means less than half lit. The moon continues as a waxing crescent until it becomes a half moon in the first quarter. After it is a half moon then the moon still continues to get more lit on the way to a full moon. This is called a Waxing Gibbous Moon. Gibbous because it is more than half lit.
Waxing and Waning Cont Waning- getting less lit Following the full moon, the moon starts getting less lit each night this is called a Waning Gibbous Moon – It continues as a waning gibbous until the 3 rd quarter half moon, then after the 3 rd quarter moon it becomes a Waning Crescent Moon. The moon wanes until it becomes a New Moon
Vocab Crescent- less than half lit Gibbous- more than half lit Waxing- getting more lit (on the way to full moon) Waning- getting less lit (on the way to new moon) Waxing Crescent Moon- getting more lit, but still less than half lit Waxing Gibbous Moon- getting more lit, and more than half lit Waning Gibbous Moon- getting less lit, but more than half lit Waning Crescent Moon- getting less lit and less than half lit
The Moon Cycle 1.New Moon 2.Waxing Crescent 3.1 st Quarter (Half moon) 4.Waxing Gibbous 5.Full Moon 6.Waning Gibbous 7.3 rd Quarter (Half Moon) 8.Waning Crescent 9.New Moon