PHASES OF THE MOON STUDY GUIDE
What moon phase? waxing crescent
What moon phase? third quarter
What moon phase? 1st quarter
What moon phase? full
What moon phase? waxing gibbous
What moon phase? waning gibbous
What moon phase? waning crescent
What moon phase? new moon
The positions of the moon, Earth, and Sun are responsible for the moon’s phases.
It takes about one month or 29 It takes about one month or 29.5 days for the moon to complete one cycle of phases.
Order of Moon Phases
None of the moon is illuminated during the new moon phase.
Three weeks after a new moon, you can see ½ of the moon Three weeks after a new moon, you can see ½ of the moon. It’s in the 3rd quarter phase.
What is waxing? when the moon is getting bigger the right side is illuminated
What is waning? when the moon is getting smaller when the left side is illuminated
The moon changes phases because it changes position as it orbits Earth.
This is a lunar eclipse.
For a lunar eclipse to occur, the moon must be full.
This is a solar eclipse.
The moon must be new for a solar eclipse to occur.