Warm Up Why do you think the moon was such an important focus in the lives of people from many ancient civilizations?

Moon Phases

Revolve Rotate spin go around

The Moon revolves around the Earth while the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Why is the Moon bright? The Moon is bright because it reflects the light of the Sun. The sun can only light up the part of the moon that it can reach.

Why is the Moon bright? The lit part of the moon is simply the part of the moon that gets sunlight. How much of the lit moon we see depends on what position it is in during its orbit around the Earth.

These pictures are not to scale These pictures are not to scale. If the sun were as tall as the wall of the classroom, then the Earth would be the size of a nickel and the moon would be the size of a hole punch. . Earth Moon The Earth does not cast a shadow on the moon. It is too small compared to the sun. The light from the sun just goes around it.

Moon Phases

Moon Phases The phases of the moon are the changing portions of the moon that we see lit up by the Sun.

The phases are caused by where the moon is in relation to the sun and earth.

Moon Terms Waxing – getting bigger Waning – getting smaller Crescent – lit part like a "C" Gibbous – lit part like a "G" Full Moon – all lit up New Moon – none lit up

Waxing vs. Waning Waxing Waning

Crescent vs. Gibbous Crescent C C Gibbous G G

New Moon vs. Full Moon

Quarter Moons Front Back 1 2 3 4

New Moon Moon cycles start with a new moon (can't see it). When we talk about the moon we always talk about the part that is lit up.

New Moon The new moon phase occurs when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun. New Moon

New Moon You can NOT SEE ANY of a new moon because the lighted half of the moon is facing the sun.

New Moon You can NOT SEE ANY of a new moon because the lighted half of the moon is facing the sun.

Label the new moon.

After the New Moon You can't see the new moon, so the next phase has to get bigger (waxing). It will be shaped like a "C" to start...waxing crescents.

C Waxing Crescent Waxing – getting bigger Crescent – shaped like a "C" (less than ½) C

Label the waxing crescents.

First Quarter is next 1st quarter lit on the right side.

Label the first quarter.

G Waxing Gibbous Waxing – getting bigger Gibbous – shaped like a "G" (more than ½) G

Label the waxing gibbous.

Full Moon The full moon phase occurs when the Earth is between the sun and the moon.

These pictures are not to scale These pictures are not to scale. If the sun were as tall as the wall of the classroom, then the Earth would be the size of a nickel and the moon would be the size of a hole punch. . Earth Moon The Earth does not cast a shadow on the moon. It is too small compared to the sun. The light from the sun just goes around it.

Label the full moon.

Waning Gibbous Waning – getting smaller Gibbous – shaped like a "G"

Label the waning gibbous.

Last Quarter Last quarter lit on the left side.

Label the last quarter.

Waning Crescent Waning – getting smaller Crescent – shaped like a "C" (less than half)

Label the waning crescents.

New Moon Another new moon (can't see) Moon phases cycle over and over

What causes the phases? The phases of the moon are caused by the POSITION of the Earth, moon and sun. Remember… the moon is lit by the sun.

The phases of the moon are NOT caused by the shadow of the Earth. No The phases of the moon are NOT caused by the shadow of the Earth. No. NO. The phases of the moon are NOT caused by the shadow of the Earth. NO. NO.

These pictures are not to scale These pictures are not to scale. If the sun were as tall as the wall of the classroom, then the Earth would be the size of a nickel and the moon would be the size of a hole punch. . Earth Moon The Earth does not cast a shadow on the moon. It is too small compared to the sun. The light from the sun just goes around it.

Label

Summary Explain the phases of the moon and why we have them.

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